Beyond the Cloven Tongues
by George Kirkpatrick

Vital Words to the Body of Christ 
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BEYOND THE CLOVEN TONGUES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Church of Comfort, Convenience and No Commitment ..................... 
Chapter 2 The Increaser of the People ......... 
Chapter 3 The Enlarger of the People ......... 
Chapter 4 The Church in Moses' Tabernacle ..... 
Chapter 5 The Glory has Departed ..............
Chapter 6 Firstfruits of the Temple ...........
Chapter 7 Ornan's Threshingfloor .............. 
Chapter 8 The Glory of the Latter House ....... 
Chapter 9 Feast of Tabernacles ................
Chapter 10 Divine Order of Solomon's Temple ... 
Chapter 11 Spiritual Israel ................... 
Chapter 12 His Spiritual Temple ............... 
Chapter 14 In His Image ....................... 

BEYOND THE CLOVEN TONGUES

Chapter 1

Church of Comfort, Convenience and No Commitment

The statement most often heard today is: "If we only had the power and authority that was in the early church!"

People ask: "What has happened to the church?" There is no power or authority, no separation from the world. There are certainly no "greater works", that were spoken of by Jesus, evident in the church today.

They look back to the Day of Pentecost and the years that followed, and say: "How we wish we could have lived in that time, when signs and wonders were everywhere and the church was added to daily. Three thousand were added at one time; five thousand another time. Great miracles were happening every day. People were healed when Peter's shadow fell upon them. Demons were cast out and people were healed when cloths, that Paul had prayed over, were laid upon them.

What has happened to that great move of the Spirit which started when the "cloven tongues" came on the Day of Pentecost? Man brought it under his control. Down through the ages there have been outbreaks of Spiritual revival; but they have always been short lived because man would turn them into another denomination. 

Man has always managed to bring the great moves of God under his control and power, turning them into the denominational systems that we have in the earth today. Isaiah wrote concerning what has happened to these great moves of God.

The denominational systems have robbed God's people of the power and authority that God intended for His people. They have been hid away in man's prison houses and have become a prey to the pastors, who have not warned them of the wrath to come and the judgment which is sure.

Peter spoke of those who have made merchandise of God's people.

With false words they have made merchandise of God's people. There is no cry to "restore" God's power and authority in the people. But Peter warned of the coming judgment that would begin at the house of God.

Judgment has begun on the house of God. Every day we see proof of this judgment. God is revealing the sin, and if He does not judge the sin in His own house, how can he judge the world? The organized church is not doing the "greater works"! They are not even doing the works which were done by the early church. God's people have been robbed and spoiled as they sit in the denominational prison houses.

The majority of the people, today, go to three kinds of churches. We will call these: The Church of Convenience, The Church of Comfort, and the Church of No Commitment.

All have various names, denominational or non-denominational, all fall into one of the three church groups.

The Church of Convenience is the church which is across the street or around the corner. When the question is asked: "Do you go to church?", the response is: "I go to so-and-so church, because it is handy". The Church of Convenience could also be the Church of Comfort and No Commitment.

The Church of Comfort is the church where all the creature comforts are provided, such as comfortable seats and plush carpets. 

In these churches the will of man, or the spirit of man, is never challenged. People go because they have never been challenged to change, never been convicted by the message or made uncomfortable. 

Then, there is the Church of No Commitment. This is the church where people can sit for years and never make a commitment for Christ. Their way of life is never questioned, and they are welcome, as strangers of God, in what is supposed to be God's house.

All three of these churches use the name of "Christian" or "Christ-like". America is full of such churches where the people believe their only duty to God is to attend church faithfully; as if our righteousness was based on our attendance record. 

Many of these churches stir up the emotions. Their learned pastors are trained to tickle the ear with fancy words, having no meaning. Their main goal is to fill seats and build bigger and more elaborate buildings. This creates more convenience, comfort, and more non-committed pseudo-Christians, or false, pretending Christians. They have been told that if they attend that church, they are acceptable in the sight of God. At the end of 30, 40, or 50 years attending, they still have no power or authority in their lives, and very little faith. Their knowledge of the Word is practically nil or based upon man-made doctrines.

God's people have been lied to and robbed. In Isaiah, we find:

God's people have made a covenant with death. Death is all that is spoken of in these churches; "Die, and go to heaven". But all Jesus ever spoke about was life. 

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" *** John 11:25. 

We are all dead in trespasses and sin, but by the Spirit, we are made alive. The church systems have rejected the Spirit. Isaiah said the people have also made a covenant with hell, (sheol) or the grave, as if death was their only hope to be with God. The Bible says, He is the God of the living.

We read in Romans that, when we are baptized into Jesus' death, death has no more dominion over us, *** Romans 6:9. Isaiah, also, shows us that those sitting in these churches would be taught a false hope of deliverance. 

Most churches teach a false rapture; that God is going to protect the non-committed, being those who want one foot in the world and one foot in the church, those who are babes in God and unskilled in the Word of knowledge. When you talk to them, they will tell you that their hope is in dying before the coming wrath upon the earth; or that God will take them off the earth in the wrath. They have no strength, power or authority that will take them through the wrath.

The people are not being warned, nor being prepared for the wrath to come. This dying before the wrath, or the waiting on the rapture, is satan's deceitful way of keeping God's people very weak and unprepared. When the time does come to be strong and to go through the wrath, as Noah and his family, God's people who have been deceived, will be too weak to make it. They will surely die. 

Isaiah stated"...they have made lies their refuge and under falsehood have they hid themselves..." *** Isaiah 28:15 

Paul writes in II Thessalonians:

They have made lies their refuge, so God has sent them a strong delusion that they should believe a lie. This is because they will not search out the truth for themselves. They have chosen, rather, to believe their easy, man-made religion, as in the days of Jeroboam, after the death of Solomon.

When we ask: "Why is there no power, no glory, no authority in God's people?" "Why are those, who are called by His name, so weak?" and, "Why are they looked down upon as being lower than the wicked?", the answer becomes very simple. Man has gone his own way, rejecting the ways of God and is not listening for His voice. Man has become "children of disobedience".

Paul spoke of the "children of disobedience" in his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians.

The "children of disobedience" are those who have the spirit of the prince of the power of the air working in them, not the Spirit of the living God.

Paul said, "Don't let any man deceive you with vain words". The word for vain is KENOS which means "worthless and empty", "words that tickle the ear but have no value, no life-giving quality, no substance". They leave the hearer empty. Paul said because of this, the wrath cometh upon the children of disobedience.

Paul says to put to death your members that are on the earth. The word for members is MELOS which means "the old carnal nature", that nature which caters to sexual vises, impurities in our lives, our sensual appetites, our desires that are not of God, greed and covetousness. Paul lists all these as being idolatrous, or the worship of idols. These have become idols in the people's lives. 

Covetousness is mentioned by Paul as one of these idols. Yet, covetousness is taught from the pulpits. The Prosperity Message teaches that we are to desire and demand it of God. They are taught to covet from God. Then we wonder why man looks at the church and says, "I don't want to be like those who attend there." 

What has the church come to? Why has the church been stamped with "Ichabod" as in the days of Eli? Why? Because, as Paul wrote to the Romans:

They have turned the church into the image that man

envisioned, instead of the church being in the image of the uncorruptible God. When we ask, "What is wrong with the church?", the answer becomes clear, the church has been robbed and trapped in their denominational prison houses.

The Churches of Comfort, Convenience, and No Commitment do not see the true Church that God is raising up on the threshing floor of Ornan.

God has a people, a remnant, a few that have not bowed their knee to Baal; the god of this world. God has a few who know, and stand, on the promises of God, as put forth in His Word. God has a remnant who have separated themselves from the world and are cleaving unto His Word. They have taken up their cross as Jesus directed; that their flesh may be destroyed, as Jesus' their example; a people that He will fill with His glory.

We see this people, foretold, in the building of King Solomon's Temple. The walk God requires of this people is not convenient, nor is it comfortable. It takes total commitment...not just to building programs, or missionary outreaches, or door to door evangelism, but a total commitment to God and His will. 

What God is looking for is changed lives that have come into His church and are a part of His body, as the prophet Joel said, 

God is looking for a people who will rend (tear in pieces) their hearts to destroy the old religious ideas, and turn their hearts unto God; not their hearts only, but their ears, also. Many times Jesus said, "They have eyes, but they don't see; and they have ears, but they don't hear". He was not talking about their physical eyes and ears; but, they had not developed their Spiritual seeing and hearing.

What does man need to do if he is going to be part of what God is doing in the earth today? God is looking for changed minds and changed lives. He is looking for a people that will make Him Lord in their lives. Lord means "supreme in authority". 

The Old Testament has many examples of the time we live in, and the place that God's people have come to. God reveals His truths, His hidden truths, in the types and shadows in the Old Testament. As we discover these hidden truths, we will understand why the church is in the condition it is in today: No power, no authority, and no glory!

Chapter 2

THE INCREASER OF THE PEOPLE

When we begin to realize that the complete Bible was written for our learning, we discover that the Old Testament contains direct prophesies, types and shadows which are yet to be fulfilled. 

As we study and search for the truth, we discover many hidden truths tucked away in proper names, places and countries. These hidden truths tell us what God was doing in those places at that time. Many have future references as to what God is going to do in these last times.

An example of a hidden truth would be Armageddon which means "hill of slaughter". This foretells of the mighty slaughter that will take place when the Lord of Hosts and His armies meet the god of this world, "satan", and his armies.

Also, hidden in men's names, are the mysteries of God. In these names, we see the character, or nature, revealing how God is to use that individual.

An example: Esau means "red and hairy". The Bible records that Esau was red and hairy at his birth. This was a physical characteristic that was portrayed in his name.

Joseph means "another son" and was prophetic in nature; revealing that Rachel would bring forth another son. Benjamin was Rachel's second son. His name means "the son of his right hand". When Jacob and Rachel's first son, Joseph, was sold into slavery by his brothers; Benjamin became the son of Jacob's right hand. 

When God sent Jesus, He was the Son of the Father. Yet, in the Bible, there is the "promise of another son". This son will be the overcomers in the earth. This son will be the son of Jesus' right hand.

What is it that we are to have hope in? Are we to have hope in the government? Are we to have hope in the dollar? Are we to have hope in the church we go to? God gave us His Word that we may have hope "in Him". As we read His Word, we see that God, alone, has a future. If we are to have a future, we must be "in Him". Outside of Him, there is no hope; there is no future.

Paul revealed, "...that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." *** Romans 15:4

God left His Word for all mankind. He also left instruction in His Word concerning how we are to use His Word.

We are told to "rightly divide" the Word of truth. Divide means "to cut straight or dissect". The only way we can rightly divide the Word of Truth is under the direction of the Holy Spirit. 

Our motive must always be to come to the knowledge of the truth, never to justify a belief or an idea.

Man-made doctrines and dogmas have been allowed to come into the church system. This is why there are so many different beliefs and ideas running rampant; expounding man-made doctrines, using the Bible to try to prove their false teachings.

God has hidden many wonderful truths in His Word. We must rightly divide the Word of Truth to find these revelations. The Holy Spirit, alone, can reveal these hidden truths to those who seek Him with all their heart.

With this insight, let us consider the hidden truths found in the names, Rehoboam and Jeroboam. These men's names reveal the two types of churches in the earth, today.

Rehoboam and Jeroboam were kings in Israel following the division of the twelve tribes. God gave Jeroboam the ten northern tribes; leaving two tribes, Benjamin and Judah, to Rehoboam, Solomon's son.

Rehoboam's name means "enlarger of the people". Rehoboam, the enlarger of the people, represents the churches that are teaching the people the "uncompromised Word of God". These churches are teaching "True Praise and Worship". They teach the people to seek His presence in their lives.

Rehoboam represents the churches which were established for the sole purpose of bringing forth the Word of God. These churches are not interested in numbers. Their goal is to bring forth a people to maturity - - - a people desiring to grow up into the Head, which is Christ. These are ones who have made the Bible their instructor. They welcome the washing of water by the Word in their lives on a daily basis. The Rehoboam churches are not interested in more buildings and elaborate adornment. Their only desire is to know more of God.

Jeroboam's name means "he will multiply the people". Jeroboam represents the 

churches whose sole purpose is to increase, or multiply the people. 

Their main goal is to fill seats so that they can build more magnificent and elaborate buildings. Their only desire is to look good in the eyes of the world. Programs, programs and more programs are established to bring in more and more people and increase the size of their congregations. The Jeroboam churches are constantly adding numbers, yet teaching only the milk of the Word to babies; never teaching them the desire to grow up into the Head.

The whole concept of the Jeroboam church is "bigger is better". The better and more successful they look in the world's eyes, the more acceptable they are to God. How deceived they have become, and how they have deceived the people!

Solomon was the greatest builder in the Bible. If big works would have pleased God, Solomon would have been the most pleasing before God. But because of the sin of idolatry, God took the kingdom from Solomon. Today, building programs and big works have become many churches idols. The people serve the created more then the Creator.

King Jeroboam immediately began to set up his man-made religion, compelling the people to worship God his way.

Jeroboam conceived this in his heart. It was not something he had sought God for. This was something which came from his own mind. It was not God's voice that Jeroboam was listening to, it was put there by the enemy. Jeroboam listened to the wrong voice. 

God had given Jeroboam ten tribes, but Jeroboam took the credit for being made king, to himself. What God had spoken to him was ignored. God had given it to him, yet Jeroboam felt it was up to himself to protect it. Like many people today: When God, by His power, gives them something, they feel it is in their own power to keep it.

Jeroboam feared that if the people went back to Jerusalem . . . the true place of worship . . . they, again, would want to unite Israel. Today, we have pastors who have that fear when one of their congregation visits another church. They are afraid they might lose them. The pastors fail to realize that they are set there as the shepherd of God's flock. The flock belongs to God. They are not man's possession to protect.

Jeroboam operated in fear, not in the power God had ordained. He feared they would rise up and kill him. Although God had placed him in authority, he had no faith in God. With his own mouth, he denied God and depended upon self. How much like the church system of today!

Many who have begun in the Spirit and the Word, have turned to their own devices; using man-made ways and means to entice and snare people into their systems. They take the freedom, Jesus died for, and turn it into the system of slavery.

To believe that the children of Israel could be so easily deceived, one would have to forget that these were the ancestors of those who God had led through the 

wilderness, and had shown all the miracles of deliverance. These stories had been passed from generation to generation. It was part of their education to learn of the mighty miracles that God did in the sight of Israel. They were not told to worship the calves, but, rather, that God was enthroned upon the back of the calves, just as He was enthroned upon the mercy seat between the two Cherubim in the Holy of Holies.

Jeroboam, as many today, changed God's established order, just enough to make his own ideas seem right. Jeroboam led them to believe that the invisible God was standing upon the back of the two calves. He told them, when they bowed before the calves, they were actually worshiping the invisible God, the God of their Father. How deceiving! Yet, this is exactly what is happening in the earth, today. 

Jeroboam deceived the people with a look-a-like religion, close to what God had ordained; but it was man-made and man- controlled.

Jeroboam told the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem to worship". The "increaser of the people" would have the flock believe that what he was doing was for their good, justifying in his own mind that he was doing right. He did not have to deal with the real problems, such as his fear that the people would kill him and desire Rehoboam's rule.

"He made an house of high places;" a place where he trained priests in this new man-made religion. He made priests of the lowest of the people; not men who were called of God, not the Levites; but men of the lowest sort who desired to be a priest. Whoever Jeroboam consecrated, became one of the priests in the high places. Today, we still have the high places. They are called seminaries. Man is still consecrating priests of the lowest sort, those not called of God, to be priests in their man-made systems. 

Strangers, not called of God, men of the lowest sort, are standing in the sanctuaries of God.

Jeroboam also changed the feast days. The feast days were days which had been set aside that the people might have a time to come together to worship and praise God. These were special occasions which commemorated the mighty miracles in Israel's history. God had made a Law that Israel was to observe these celebrations, which we will cover, in depth, later on in this book. 

There were three main feasts:

-1- The Passover
-2- The Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of Pentecost
-3- The Feast of Tabernacles
The Passover Feast consisted of three celebrations:
-1- The Passover
-2- Feast of First Fruits
-3- Feast of Unleavened Bread
The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, had one celebration. This was held in the third month.
The Feast of Tabernacles consisted of three celebrations: 
-1- The Feast of Trumpets
-2- The Day of Atonement
-3- The Feast of Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles was held in the seventh month. We find that Jeroboam changed the established order God had ordained for the feasts.

Bethel means "house of God". Jeroboam offered burnt incense upon the altar which he had devised in his own heart. This burnt incense was false praise before God.

Jeroboam changed God's ordained feast days. Jeroboam made his feast day in the eighth month; again, close to what God had ordained, but what he had devised from his own heart. The increaser of the people was going about to establish his man-made religious system, devising a system of 

worship for the people. Jeroboam was only concerned with appeasing the people in an attempt to discourage them from returning to Jerusalem, the True Place of Worship.

Today, the church system has developed a worship system which they have devised in their own heart. They still offer up false praise before the Lord. It looks good on the outside, and it satisfies most of the people; but it is unacceptable to God. 

Today, as in the day of Jeroboam, those who are desiring to move on in the Lord are leaving this system and coming to the True Place of Worship.

Today, we see a great exodus from the denominational systems. Those, whose heart is to seek the Lord, are leaving and coming to the place where they can learn and grow in the Lord. They are returning to Rehoboam, the enlarger of the people and the true place of worship, where they can be enlarged in the knowledge and wisdom of God.

Jeroboam's desire was to enslave the people to his man-made system. Jeroboam said, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem to worship God". Today, we hear pastors say, "You cannot give these babies strong meat, the True Word of God, because it will choke them. Yet, the babies they are referring to have sat in their system for 20 to 30 years or more; truly, ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth. As Jeroboam, they teach what whey have devised in their own hearts.

Jeroboam created an easy, man-made system, one that would fulfill their religious need. Today, those who are desiring to worship God in Spirit and Truth are still leaving the Jeroboam system. Those who desire to have their ears tickled are happy in their look-a-like system of worship. They believe their new building programs are all God demands of them.

Jeroboam made a look-a-like worship of God, but there was no power or authority, because God was not in it.

Chapter 3

The Enlarger of the People

Rehoboam was the rightful heir to the throne of David, being the son of Solomon. But because of the sin of Solomon, (idol worship), God took ten tribes and gave them to Jeroboam. He left two tribes to Rehoboam. How this transition took place shows why there is no power and authority in the church system, today. 

After Solomon's death, all Israel came to Shechem to make Rehoboam king. But there was a group headed by Jeroboam, that put demands upon Rehoboam before they would serve him as king. While Solomon had been king, Jeroboam had tried to get the people, under Solomon's rule, to follow him. Solomon would not put up with this. 

Jeroboam had fled into Egypt because he feared Solomon. When Solomon had died, the people wanted an easier life. So, they sent for Jeroboam.

The people of Israel, with Jeroboam as their head, demanded that, before they would make Rehoboam king, he must make their life easier than it had been under his father, Solomon. 

The people of Israel, like the people today, want to serve a king who does not put many demands on their lives. They do not want to serve a God who says the people have to change. They want a religion that will change to suit them. 

Rehoboam asked for three days to consider the matter. Rehoboam sought counsel from the old men who had stood before Solomon.

These were the men who had advised Solomon. Their message was one of compromise: "Be kind to the people. Please 

them, and speak good words to them. Don't hurt their feelings. Be a king that compromises with their whims and they will serve you forever". This is the philosophy of so many churches today: "Do anything to keep the people coming".

Under the old men's counsel, Solomon had married strange wives, (not of Israel), which God forbade in His law. King Solomon followed after their idol worship. There was not one word of warning from the old men that Solomon's actions had been wrong. They did not tell of God's judgment upon Solomon's sins. They were quiet because they wanted to be pleasing in their king's eyes. 

Their king was "government". Many are silent today about the sin that is in our land and our government. They will not proclaim sin for the fear of being displeasing to their king, "government". But Rehoboam did not accept what the old men said.

There was something very important about the life of Rehoboam. 

This verse tells us Rehoboam was 41 years old when he became king. *** I Kings 11:42 tells us Solomon's reign was 40 years. Rehoboam grew up in the house of Solomon. He remembered the days when all the world marveled at his father's wisdom; and when the Queen of Sheba came, with all her pomp, to seek the wisdom of Solomon. He also remembered when his father's whole heart had been set on the things of God.

But, Rehoboam was also there in Solomon's later years, when his heart was turned away from God. He saw his father turn to the idol worship of the false gods of his strange wives. 

I Kings 11 speaks of Solomon, after he had turned to idol worship.

Rehoboam had seen the change that had come over his father under the guidance of the old men's counsel. He saw his father as the wisest man in all the earth, filled with godly wisdom. He saw him at his worst...a man bowing down to dumb idols. Rehoboam could not accept the counsel of his father's old advisors. Therefore, he turned to the young men.

The young men were those that had been brought up with Rehoboam. They had witnessed, with Rehoboam, the change that had taken place in Solomon's life. They had seen what sin had done to Solomon and knew the old men had been consenting to Solomon's sin. They knew that Solomon had become unacceptable before God. 

God had spoken to Solomon and had warned him; that because of his sin, God would take the kingdom out of his hands. Yet, the old men stood mute.

Rehoboam rejected the advice of compromise from the old men and turned to the young men's counsel.

Rehoboam knew the ways of his father had not worked, and that they would not work for him. Rehoboam, the enlarger of the people, was there for the people's good, just as Solomon has been in the beginning.

At this time, the true worship of God had ceased and the people were caught up in Solomon's building programs. There was no need for God because there was much prosperity in Jerusalem. Solomon had made silver in Jerusalem as plentiful as stones. All Israel's needs were being met.

Today, people are caught up in their building programs and proclaiming prosperity. It is no more acceptable to God today, than it was in Solomon's day. The people are still listening to the old men who say "This is pleasing to God."

Today, there are two types of churches operating in the world. 

The Rehoboam church, which is interested in the people who desire to grow and learn the ways of God; and the Jeroboam church of comfort, convenience and compromise. The Rehoboam church is turning the heart of the Father back to the children, and the hearts of the children back to the Father. Jeroboam only seeks to have an increase of people. There would be no compromise by Rehoboam. He accepted the advice of the young men, instead. 

The apostle John, spoke of the old men and the young men, and who they represent.

The fathers (the old men) and the little children are at the same place; knowing the Father. The fathers (the old men) had just known him longer. But the young men had overcome the wicked one. In verse 14, John writes that the young men are strong, with the Word of God alive in them, and they have overcome. 

The Rehoboam church will be filled with the young men. The word "young" is NEANISKOS. This does not mean youth, or very young, immature lads; but, rather, it has the meaning of a man around the age of forty; men who have matured in the Word and have become strong, having overcome satan in their lives. These are the ones who make up the Rehoboam church.

Most historians agree that Rehoboam made a mistake when he rejected the old men's counsel, and accepted the young men's position of "no compromise". When anyone takes a "no compromise" position concerning the things of God, there will always be those who will come against them, calling them "fanatics" and many other such names. But God will have a people who will not compromise the things of Him to please the world.

All of Israel came to make Rehoboam, king. Israel wanted an easier deal from the king, as many do today. They want a better deal from God. They accuse God of being too restrictive. When the church tells them they must change their ways, they begin to look for a church that will accept them as they are. Israel told Rehoboam they would serve him if he would give them a better deal than they had received from his father.

After three days, the people returned to Rehoboam for his answer.

The word "roughly" means "sternly". When Rehoboam gave them his answer, they knew there would be "no compromise". Israel only desired the things of the flesh. 

When God deals with the flesh, it takes chastisement. 

God's Word proclaims "... despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him." *** Hebrews 12:5

Today, those who attend the Rehoboam church know that if they desire to be part of the "enlarger of the people", they must deal with the flesh, because the fleshly mind is enmity against God. *** Romans 8:7

When we take a "no compromise" position, the Jeroboam church is always there to say: "We have an easy religion. Come and follow us. You do not have to change to worship with us. We will accept you as you are. We will be kind to you. We will aim to please. We will not say or do anything that is offensive to you. We will change. We are willing to compromise, and we agree that the Rehoboam church is far to restrictive."

The Jeroboam church is full of old men and children; never overcoming the wicked one, never having the life-giving Word abiding in them, never becoming strong in the Lord. 

The power they have denied is the Holy Spirit's anointing. Jeroboam had a form of godliness; but there was no power because God's anointing was not upon it. God says 

in *** II Timothy 3:5 "...from such turn away." We are admonished to turn away from this kind of church.

These are ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth because they have denied the Spirit of Truth, or the Holy Spirit of God.

The Rehoboam church represents the overcoming church in the earth today. They are overcoming satan and the world and are becoming strong in the Word. The Word is living in them.

The Jeroboam church is the Church of Comfort, Convenience and No Commitment. But God desires the Rehoboam church, the young men who can hear the voice of God.

King Rehoboam hearkened not unto the people, for the cause was from the Lord. Rehoboam was obedient to God's voice and was pleasing in His eyes.

As we asked in the beginning: "Why is there no power in the church today?" The Jeroboam church is the most visible in the world today. They have raised up priests of the lowest sort who have changed the worship of God. It is now a look-alike religion, falling far short of God's perfect order. There is no power and authority because God is not there. They have devised a form worship from the desire of their own heart; and have denied the power, the Holy Ghost. They refuse to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

This power and authority is in operation in the Rehoboam church; but there are few. By compromising, Rehoboam could have become king over all Israel. But, instead, he heard the voice of God saying, "This cause is from me."

Today, there are a few who will not compromise to the world and the church system to fill seats. They do not depend on gimmicks and give-away programs to entice the people into their look-alike religious system. There are a few whose only desire is to enlarge the people. They put action to the words of Jesus when he said, 

The gates of hell are prevailing against Jeroboam's church system because they have denied the power of the Holy Ghost: but God is raising up Rehoboam's young men and making them strong. They have overcome the wicked one and the Word of God lives in them.

Chapter 4

The Church in Moses' Tabernacle

In His infinite wisdom, God has shown us the day in which we live, in many ways. God's Old Testament is full of types and shadows concerning what has come to pass in the earth.

God recorded everything that happened to Israel that we might be admonished and learn by their examples.

The building of Solomon's Temple represents a type of what God is doing in His people today. God is building His Spiritual temple and He will inhabit it for all eternity. At the time Solomon built his temple, Moses' Tabernacle and David's Tabernacle were still standing with their form worship service. These tabernacles represent the church systems, today.

There is nothing recorded as to what happened to Moses' Tabernacle, but we know that David's Tabernacle fell down. God said He would raise up David's Tabernacle again. But, while form worship was continuing in Moses's Tabernacle and David's

Tabernacle, 

God was building a permanent dwelling place in the earth in Solomon's Temple.

First, let's look at Moses' Tabernacle. It took ten chapters in Exodus to describe the building of Moses' Tabernacle and the pattern of worship. The tabernacle of Moses contained the complete salvation plan of God.

There were three areas in Moses' Tabernacle:
-1- Outer Court
-2- Holy Place
-3- Holy of Holies
The Outer Court was where man dealt with his sin. 
There were two instruments in the Outer Court:
-1- Brazen Altar
-2- Laver

Both the Brazen Altar and the Laver were made of brass. Brass is the symbol of sin. The Brazen Altar was where the sin sacrifice was offered. It symbolizes where we repent and lay down our life for Christ. The Laver was where the priest washed to prepare for the service of God. It is symbolic of water baptism, the putting off of the old, carnal man and dying to sin and our sin nature. Dealing with our sin and water baptism is only the beginning. Our main goal should be to enter into the presence of God.

Forgiveness of sin and water baptism are as far as most people go; not desiring to go any further into God. They are happy, having dealt with their sin problem. They are told that this is all that is needed to be pleasing in God's eyes.

In the Outer Court, there was only "natural light". The people who have only come to the Brazen Altar and the Laver are in the outer court. When they read the Bible, they have only "natural understanding" because they have not come to the anointing, the Holy Spirit, which is their teacher. *** I John 2:27

There is no covering, or Holy Spirit, over the Outer Court. 

As we come into the Outer Court, we must come through an opening in the linen wall. The opening to the outer court was called the "gate". It measured 20 cubits x 5 cubits, or 100 square cubits. It was four times as broad as it was high. The way of salvation is open to all mankind.

When we come to the Holy Place, there must be a change of clothing, another washing and an anointing. Only the priesthood or the ministers could enter here. The change of clothing represents the "putting off" of old flesh, and "putting on" our robes of Righteousness that we might be covered by the righteousness of God. 

Before we can enter into the Holy Place, there is another washing that must take place. The priests' flesh had to be totally cleansed before putting on their priestly garments. The cleansing that must take place in our lives, is the washing of water by the Word. John said:

Paul said to the church at Ephesus,

In order for us to enter into the Holy Place of God, we must be cleansed and made clean by the "washing of water by the Word". 

Next, there is an anointing that accompanies the entering into the Holy Place. This anointing is the Holy Spirit. No one entered into the Holy Place without this anointing. If we are to enter into the Holy Place in God we need the anointing of the Holy Spirit. No one will enter in without this anointing.

When we enter into the Holy Place, we must enter in at the Door. John tells us, Jesus is the "door".

If we enter into the sheepfold by any other way than the door, then we are thieves and robbers.

Jesus said, "...I am the door of the sheep." *** John 10:7

In the Outer Court, we dealt with our sin. There was nothing to enter into. But, in the Holy Place, we must enter into the sheepfold. The sheepfold is the church. Jesus called us the sheep of His pasture.

When we enter into the Holy Place, we find three instruments of worship:
-1- Candlestick
-2- Table of Shewbread
-3- Altar of Incense

The first instrument of Worship in the Holy Place was the candlestick. The candlestick was one stick which had six branches. 

The only light in the Holy Place was the candlestick. Without the candlestick, the Holy Place would have been totally dark. Those who have come into this place in God, are called the light of the world. *** Matthew 5:14

The candlestick is referred to as "His". This is because Jesus is the candlestick. The three branches on His left side represent the Old Testament. The three branches on His right side represent the New Testament. Jesus, the candlestick, is the connection between the two.

The three branches of the Old Testament show the three divisions in the Old Testament.
1 - Patriarchs
2 - Judges
3 - Kings
The First Branch - The Patriarchs
God ruled His people through patriarchs from the book of Genesis to Joshua.
The Second Branch - The Judges
God ruled His people under Judges.
The Third Branch - The Kings
Israel then demanded a King. Their desire was to be as other nations.

Samuel was the last judge in Israel. He, also, anointed the first two kings, Saul and David. Israel was then ruled by kings until the carrying away into Babylon.

The three branches on the right side of the candlestick represent Jesus, and who He is in our life.
1 - Jesus as Creator
2 - Jesus as Saviour
3 - Christ Jesus as Ruler & Reigner in our Lives

The first branch represents Jesus as Creator.

In *** Colossians 1:16-17, Paul stated, 

The second branch represents Jesus as Saviour. This is our relationship with God.

The third branch shows the ruling and reigning aspect of Christ Jesus in our lives.

Peter said "...that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." *** Acts 2:36 

Lord means supreme in authority and Christ is the anointing in our lives. Therefore, Jesus now rules and reigns in our lives; being both Lord and Christ.

The candlestick in the Holy Place represents the church. 

The candlestick, which represents the church, is found in the Holy Place, not in 

the Outer Court, as some would have us believe. The only word for church in the New Testament is EKKLESIA, and is made up of EK which means "out of", and KESIA meaning "a calling". Therefore EKKLESIA means "to be called out", or "the called out ones". These "called out ones" make up His Body, the church.

His church will be the fullness of Him. Those who are the fullness of Him will make up His Body. His church will have had the change of garments, the extra washing of water by the Word and will have received the anointing which is necessary to enter into the Holy Place in Moses' Tabernacle. These will become His candlestick. They have come through the door into His sheepfold, the church.

The next instrument of worship in the Holy Place is the Table of Shewbread. Upon this table were 12 loaves of bread. Fresh bread was then put out every seven days. The old bread was eaten by the priest. The number 12 represents the number of God's 

government. The bread represents the Body of Christ. Jesus said that He was the bread that came down from heaven. *** John 6:33 

Jesus also said, "I am the bread of life." *** John 6:35 

The bread was unleavened. Unleavened bread symbolizes "no sin". Again, this refers to Christ who had "no sin". The Table of Shewbread portrays God's government in the body of Christ which is the church without sin (unleavened bread).

According to I Corinthians 12, government is a gift of the Spirit.

God is bringing forth His perfect government in His Body. This is revealed by the Table of Shewbread.

The third instrument of worship in the Holy Place was the Altar of Incense. It sat before the veil. The veil was the entrance to the Holy of Holies. Incense was burned morning and evening on the Altar of Incense. The incense was to represent praise and prayer before God. This was done every day, morning and evening. It was a sweet odor 

which went up continually before God. Our praise and prayer should be offered up continually before God.

Those who have received His anointing and have been washed by the water of the Word, are those who have put off the old garments of flesh. They have put on His Robe of Righteousness and have entered by way of the door into the Holy Place.

The next area in the Tabernacle is the Holy of Holies. In the Outer Court, we had two instruments of worship. In the Holy Place there were three. In the Holy of Holies there are six:
1 - Ark of the Covenant
2 - Cherubim
3 - Mercy Seat
In the Ark:
4 - Tables of the Covenant
5 - Aaron's Rod that Budded
6 - Golden Bowl of Manna

To come into the Holy of Holies, from the Holy Place, we must pass through the second curtain. This curtain is called the "Veil". It was this veil which was torn at the time of Jesus' death on the cross. Of course, the veil that was torn was not hanging in Moses' Tabernacle, but in Herod's temple. At the death of Jesus, the way was opened for His Body to enter into His very 

presence through the Spirit. No flesh can enter His presence. 

Upon entering into the Holy of Holies, the Ark of the Covenant (or the Ark of the Testimony as it is also called) sits between the cherubim's wings. Their wings completely span across the Holy of Holies overshadowing the Ark and the lid of the Ark, the Mercy Seat.

The Holy of Holies shows us what God desires to be in our lives. Each article symbolizes what the Ark represents in our lives.

The Golden Bowl of Manna contained the manna that was gathered in the wilderness and miraculously preserved in the Ark. This shows God's provision in His people. When Israel cried for bread in the wilderness, God gave them manna.

God promises He will provide hidden manna, or Spiritual manna. 

Therefore the ark represents God's provision.

Next, Aaron's Rod that Budded, symbolizes our authority in God. This comes by the Holy Spirit; He is our power and authority.

The Ark represents our power and wisdom in God.

Next, the Tables of the Covenant contained God's Law. 

It was by Moses' Law that we have the knowledge of sin; but we no longer keep Moses' Law. We are to keep another Law, and that is God's Law; the Law of Love and Liberty. When we keep this Law, the Spirit of Peace will rest upon us.

Therefore, the Ark also represents our peace.

The second instruments in the Holy of Holies are the Cherubim. 

The Cherubim protect the glory and holiness of God. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, the Cherubim were set at the entrance of the garden with flaming swords to guard the Tree of Life.

It was the Cherubims that Ezekiel saw when the throne of God descended, *** Ezekiel 10:1-22. The Cherubims were protecting the glory and holiness of God's throne. The Cherubims are "our assured protection" in God. The Cherubims' wing spread touched the curtains on both sides of the Holy of Holies, and touched in the middle over the Ark. God's protection is complete. The Ark represents our protection in God.

The Mercy Seat, or lid, on the Ark is where God meets man between the Cherubims. This represents God's presence through the Spirit. The Holy Spirit anointing is the only way we can enter into the Holy of Holies.

The Ark, then, represents God's Presence, Power, Protection, Peace, and Provision in our lives. The ark is our Promise in God. When Israel went into their promised Land they were to follow the Ark.

They were to follow their Ark staying about 2000 cubits from it. Jesus is our promise, and we are to follow Him into our promised land by about 2,000 years. If we follow Him, He will lead us into our promise. Joshua told the children of Israel that, by following the ark, they would know the way to go. By following Jesus, we will know the way to go; and He, too, will lead us into our promised land.

The only light in the Holy of Holies was the "Shekinah Glory of God". There was no "natural light". There were no "candles"; only the Glory of God. When we enter into this place in God, we will live in His very Glory. We see this in the Holy City, New Jerusalem.

Before we go on, lets consider the construction of the instruments of worship:
1 - Brazen Altar
2 - Table of Shewbread
3 - Altar of Incense
4 - Ark of the Covenant

The Brazen Altar which sat in the outer court, was made from wood and was overlaid with brass (probably copper). Wood represents flesh. Brass represents sin. This shows our condition when we come to Christ; our flesh covered by sin.

In the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, observe that the Table of Shewbread, The Altar of Incense, and the Ark of the Covenant are made out of wood covered with gold. Gold represents God. Therefore, we see the same flesh covered by God; or anointed by God.

Also, observe that the boards used to erect the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies were also covered with gold; again, the flesh with God's anointing upon it.

The dimensions of the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies tells us of the time we live in and the time to come.

The dimension of the Holy Place is 10 cubits wide, 20 cubits long, and 10 cubits high; or 10 x 20 x 10 = 2,000. The candlestick is in the Holy Place and represents the church; therefore, 2,000 foretells the time of the church age; 2,000 years.

The Holy of Holies is 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000. This foretells the 1,000 year millennial reign with Christ, when we enter into His very presence. The time of our entering in is very close. In *** Joshua 3:4, it does not say exactly 2,000 cubits; but, about. Therefore, our "day of entering in" could be at any time.

Only those who have come to the place in God, to "enter in" will "enter in". Those who have had the change of garments, the washing of water by the Word and the Holy Spirit anointing will "enter in". Those who are depending upon their man-made systems and the work done in the outer court: forgiveness of sins and water baptism, without the anointing, cannot enter into His sheepfold in the Holy Place in God. These will be purified and made whole in the wrath of God.

Chapter 5

The Glory Has Departed

Moses' Tabernacle contained God's salvation plan and His redemptive work upon the flesh. But God's glory was removed from Moses' Tabernacle in the day when Eli was priest. All Israel had fallen into deep sin. Sin ran rampant in the priesthood. They had turned their back upon God. The people sinned because they knew their sin could be covered by the sacrifice of an animal. Neither the priests nor the people had a heart for God. 

Today, the same is true. Man sins because he knows he has forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. In *** Genesis 6:3 God said, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man:..." This was true at the time of the flood, and it was true when Eli was priest in Israel.

Eli and his sons are examples of what has happened to the organized church of today.

Belial means "worthlessness". Eli's son's names were Hophni and Phinehas; they knew not the Lord. Hophni and Phinehas were the priests, yet, they knew not God. As we 

saw before with Jeroboam, strangers were standing in the sanctuary of the Lord's house. 

By God's commandments, the priests were to partake of the sacrifices offered to God. They used a three-toothed flesh hook; placing the hook in the pot. All that came up on the hook was to be the priests portion. The priests were to eat their meat sodden or boiled. God's way did not please Hophni and Phinehas. What God had provided was not enough. Instead, they sent their servants after raw flesh, demanding more than God had given.

The priest's servants came, before they burnt the fat, and demanded the flesh, raw. The fat was to have been burned before the Lord as a sweet savor unto the Lord. It was a symbol of praise unto God. This was the sacrifice that God had demanded. But before this offering was made unto God, the priest's servants were there, demanding raw meat. Hophni and Phinehas refused to eat it boiled as God had ordained, but demanded to have it their way. 

The people wanted to offer their sacrifice to God, first. Then the priests could have all they wanted. But, if the people did not give it willingly, the priests servants would take it by force. This is prevalent in the organized churches today. All their programs are to serve the priest (pastor). The pastor's needs must be met first, before the needs of the people.

Instead of the shepherd caring for the sheep, it is the sheep's job to care for the shepherd. Every need, real or imagined, must be provided. All the needs for the home are provided, along with a good salary, transportation, and expense accounts. There are, also, retirement and insurance plans. In some cases, stock options on church holdings, are provided. If it is not supplied, it is demanded by the sons of Belial. These shepherds are not willing to live by God's supply. They even want the praise that was to be offered up to God.

Their need to be honoured is shown by the titles they put before their names: Reverend, Doctor, Holy, or Most Holy Father. 

All of which are an abomination to God. Those who desire to be called reverend need to read Psalm 111:9.

It was Jesus Christ who sent redemption unto His people; Holy and Reverend is His name. No man has sent that redemption unto mankind: therefore, no man should be called Reverend or Holy. 

Our God is a jealous God. He will not share His glory with man. The flesh realm will never receive glory with the Spiritual realm.

The priests demanded so much that men abhorred the offering of the Lord. There are so many, today, who are turned off at church because the priests (pastors) have 

robbed them of their worship and praise unto God; and have replaced it with programs and man-made worship.

Eli was old and knew of the adultery of his sons with the women of the congregation. Today, adultery is running rampant in the ministry. Sin is justified. Jeremiah saw the day we live in and how perverted the ministry would become.

Jeremiah said they would steal, commit adultery, swear falsely, and walk after other gods. They would then stand in the house of God and say, "We are delivered to do all these abominations". Such man-made doctrines, as "Once Saved Always Saved", "Eternal Security" and "Predestination" have caused the church system to accept sin. I have heard so many say, "As long as you sin in moderation, it is acceptable unto God". These would have us believe that God accepts sin, and that He is not a righteous, Holy and just God, who, as the Bible says, hates sin.

Eli was old and he knew his sons' sin, but he would not deal with their sin. So God sent His prophet, who told Eli his sin. 

God's question to Eli was: "Why do you honour your sons above Me?" Eli had made himself fat with the chiefest, or best, that was offered before God. Eli was as guilty as his sons. He enjoyed the good life and had become fat.

Fat has two meanings. One means to be physically fat, obese and overweight; it also is used as being rich. We know that Eli and his sons were guilty of both.

What God's people would not give them willingly, they took by force. Eli was partaker in this. As Isaiah said,

Isaiah saw what the leadership in the church system has become today. Taking strong drink, alcoholism and adultery are very present in the pulpit today.

Eli was old and fat and blind. The church system, today, is old and fat and blind, also.

1. It is old. The denominations have been around for many years. Their doctrines are cut in stone and taught in the seminaries.

2. It is fat. They need not depend on God. They are sufficient in themselves. We can compare them to the Laodicean church in Revelation.

3. It is blind. Blindness means "no vision", "no foresight". The vision has gone from the church. All they teach is: "Become saved and baptized and hold on until you die, or the Lord comes." They have no vision of what God is doing in the earth. They are not striving to go into perfection, as spoken in Hebrews.

Yet, these are the sermons heard in churches every Sunday. They continue to lay the foundation, but they never build the house. They have no vision of what the house will look like when it is complete.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish: . . ." *** Proverbs 29:18

We are told in *** I Samuel 3:1 that in the days of Eli, there was no open vision. The same is true in the church system today. They have no vision. They are blind, old and fat. But God was about to remove His glory from the old, blind, fat system which man had perverted and turned to his own gain.

Another sin is hidden in the names of Eli's sons that we also find in the church system today. Eli's sons names were Hophni and Phinehas. Hophni means "pugilist" or "fighter". Phinehas means "mouth of brass". Brass represents sin or the mouth of sin. People, with their mouths of sin, are constantly fighting, bringing division and separation into the church. Division comes because the Hophni's and Phinehas' want to do things their own way. If they can't have their own way, they start another group.

Many denominations, with the same name, have many branches and divisions. They teach the same basic doctrine, yet there is much division. One group will not associate or fellowship with another group of the same denomination.

In the days of Eli, God removed His presence from Israel because of sin in the priesthood and the people. And God will remove His presence from those churches, today, that have sin in the priesthood.

God allowed the Philistines to come upon Israel. Israel suffered a great defeat. Many times, God used the Philistines to bring judgment upon Israel for their sin. After Israel suffered this great defeat, they came back to their camp.

Israel discovered God was no longer with them. Israel had rejected their God. God was no longer with them because they were not worshiping the God that dwelt 

between the Cherubims. They worshiped the Ark. They thought the power was in the Ark. But the Ark was only a representation of the power. The power dwelt between the Cherubims. The power was not the visible Ark, but the invisible God.

Today, man worships that which he can see with his physical eyes. He looks for things that satisfy his fleshly eyes, instead of that which he cannot see.

When the Ark was brought into the camp of Israel, 

"All Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again." *** I Samuel 4:5

This was false worship and praise offered before God. It did not come from the heart, but was offered up because of need. Israel had a need, but, this time, there was no deliverance in the Ark. God would not save Israel. They no longer heard His voice, nor sought His strength. The only time they called on Him was when they had a need.

Many so-called Christians today, never seek God. It is only when they have a need 

or are in trouble that they seek Him. Then they begin to offer up false praise and worship, making God many promises they don't intend to keep. They are so foolish to believe they can fool God; but God knows the heart.

When Israel brought up the Ark, God did not come along. Instead, Hophni and Phinehas were with the Ark. Their hope was in the Ark which they could see with their eyes. And where was the Ark? It was in the hands of the sons of Belial. Today, what looks good in the eyes of the people, is in the hands of Belial. 

God allowed the Ark to be captured by the Philistines, and Israel suffered a great defeat. It was not because they lost the Ark; it was because they lost God's presence.

When Eli was told that the Ark had been taken, and his two sons were dead; Eli, the old, fat, blind priest fell from his seat backward, broke his neck, and died. Man falls backwards in rebellion to God. When they fall on their faces, it is to worship God.

Eli was dead. Hophni and Phinehas were dead. The Ark was taken. But there was an heir to this whole system. Phinehas' wife was about to give birth to that heir. When she heard the tragic news of that day, she gave birth.

The glory had departed from Israel, not only because the Ark of God was taken, but because of Eli and her husband's sin. 

She knew it was the sin of her adulterous husband, and the greed that was in the priesthood, that had caused this to happen in Israel. She named the heir, "Ichabod", because "the glory had departed".

God's glory has also departed from the man-made, man-operated church today. Losing the Ark did not end the ritualistic worship in Moses' Tabernacle. They still offered the morning and evening sacrifices. They still observed all the Feast holidays. They still changed the bread every week, and burned the candles and incense on the altar. The only thing that changed was on the Day of Atonement, the priest did not enter into the Holy of Holies, into the presence of God, because the Holy of Holies was empty. 

There was no more Presence, Protection, Peace, Provision, and Power in Moses' Tabernacle, but the form worship continued. We do not know what happened to Moses' Tabernacle, but we do know that, at the time of the building of Solomon's Temple, form worship was still going on in Moses' Tabernacle at Gibeon.

After the Philistines sent the Ark back to Israel, it rested at the home of Abinadab in Kirjath Jearim. It was there until David brought it to Jerusalem and put it in another tabernacle. This was David's Tabernacle. David's Tabernacle reveals another move of God in the earth.

Chapter Six

Firstfruits of the Temple

When David became King, the Ark of God was in Abinadab's house. It had been there since the Philistines returned it to Israel. The Ark rested in Abinadab's house from the time Samuel judged Israel, through King Saul's reign, until David brought it to Jerusalem in the 10th or 11th year of his reign. So the Ark could have been in Abinadab's house for a period of about 90 years. 

David's desire was to bring God's Presence, Protection, Provision, Peace, and Power back to Jerusalem, so the people could worship and praise before the Ark of God. David gathered all the people together, and went up to Abinadab's house to bring the Ark; but David made the same mistake as many today. He thought that we serve an ever-changing God.

David made a new cart because he felt there was not a cart in Israel that was good enough to bring the ark. So he made one of the finest materials, built by the finest craftsmen, and decked with all the finest decorations...a cart that was pleasing in the eyes of man. This would surely make it acceptable unto God. 

David chose the finest oxen in his stables. He put upon these oxen his finest, hand-carved ox yoke, and his most beautiful harness. David must have heard, "We must serve God with our best". 

David overlooked one thing; this was not the way that God had ordained the Ark to be moved.

David had assembled a large group of praisers and worshippers to sing and dance before the Ark.

This beauty, this pageantry, this preparation; all the money that was spent, certainly God would be pleased with man's efforts. 

But as the Lord spoke through Samuel to Saul:

David had a heart toward God. What David was doing was good, but his methods were wrong. When the ox and cart came to Ornan's Threshing Floor (the threshing floor represents a time of testing), the ox stumbled; and when Uzzah put forth his hand to steady the Ark, God struck him dead.

This is an example of how man operates today. Man tries to serve God with his best; with all the pomp and splendor, and the fine clothes. Man's best efforts are futile. When he comes to a time of testing, all his efforts fail because his heart is not turned toward God in obedience. David had operated in his own way, and not as God ordained. When Uzzah touched the Ark, it brought physical death. When we are disobedient, it brings forth Spiritual death.

After the breach upon Uzzah, the Ark was placed in the house of Obed-Edom. It remained there for three months.

David returned to what God had ordained and confessed that the only way the Ark was to be moved, was by the Levites. This time, David assembled another large group of worshippers and brought the Ark to Jerusalem. There was no new cart, no fancy oxen. This time it was only the Ark on the shoulders of the Levites.

David was clothed with a robe of fine linen. The people came with true praise and worship; with all the instruments as God prescribed in *** Psalm 150. The Levites were bearing the Ark upon their shoulders, and David danced before the Lord with all his strength.

But, when Michal, David's wife, Saul's daughter, saw the procession and all the praise and worship before God, she despised David in her heart. When we begin to praise and worship God with our whole heart and do the things that are pleasing to God, we begin to realize that those of our own household and those of the old system will despise us in their heart.

David brought the Ark to Jerusalem, setting it in the midst of the tent that he had prepared for it.

When we compare David's Tabernacle and Moses' Tabernacle, there were definite dimensions given to Moses' Tabernacle. This is not true of David's Tabernacle. No dimensions of any kind were given. And no sacrificial system was ordained.

In David's Tabernacle, there was no veil separating the Ark from the people. The Ark was visible to all the people. In Moses' Tabernacle there was form worship. This was not found in David's Tabernacle. Instead of form worship, David set an order of worship and praise. Praise and worship was offered continually before the Ark.

The priests were to record. The word record is ZAKAR and means "to think, meditate, bring to remembrance". The word has the meaning of deep inner thoughts. These priests were constantly to meditate upon the Lord and to offer up praise and thanks continually.

Trumpets were played continually before the Ark, as well as cymbals and all other instruments which God ordained. In *** I Chronicles 16:37, Asaph and his brethren ministered before the Ark continually. In David's Tabernacle, there was no Outer Court, no Holy Place. The only area that David's Tabernacle contained was the Holy of Holies. 

There was no Brazen Altar, no Laver, no Candlestick, no Table of Shewbread, no Altar of Incense; only the ark, the Mercy Seat, the Cherubims, and the objects in the Ark.

In David's Tabernacle there was no sacrifice for sin. The only entrance to the Ark was through worship and praise. Those who enter in by worship and praise have already dealt with the sin problem in their life.

In David's Tabernacle there was no gate, no door and no veil. The people had access by worship and praise. David's Tabernacle shows that at the death of Jesus, when the veil was torn in the temple, it was possible for man to have access to the throne of God through the anointing.

In David's Tabernacle, the ministry of worship and praise was before the Ark. This was something new. This was not foretold in Moses' law. This was a direct revelation from God to David. After the Ark was brought up and placed in David's Tabernacle, the Priests, who ministered in Moses' Tabernacle, went back to their old, lifeless form worship.

This new thing God was doing in the earth did not change the old form worship in Moses' Tabernacle. Zadok, the priest went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices according to the Law of Moses.

David's Tabernacle represents the move of God in the earth in the last days which began with "Azusa Street" in 1906. This is prophesied in Amos 9.

God raised up the tabernacle of David with the Pentecostal movement; praise and worship returned unto the earth. Moses' Tabernacle still existed in the old, orthodox, form worship. 

David's Tabernacle, which represented praise and worship, had fallen down. God raised up David's Tabernacle and He closed up the breaches so that there would be no schism in the Body.

God raised up the ruins and built it as in the days of old. God is going to have a people who will praise Him continually. This is foretold in Psalm 102.

The Pentecostal Movement was the raising up of David's Tabernacle. Zadok was the priest in Gibeon. In I Chronicles 16, Zadok and his brethren came to Jerusalem to 

see the bringing up of the Ark to David's Tabernacle. They witnessed the presence and glory of God being brought back to the people of Israel. They saw all the worship and praise and the dancing before the Lord. They witnessed the move of the Spirit. Then they went back to minister in the old, lifeless system of form worship. They returned to keep the old system going where the glory of God had once dwelt, but now was departed.

In 1906, many came from the old denominational system to see what God was doing. They then turned back to their form religion, hoping that the former glory would return to the old, lifeless system.

God was doing something new in the earth. There was another revival of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit around the middle 1940's, but by this time, those who were part of the first move, had already denominationalized that move of God, and had fallen into form worship by bringing it under man's control.

There was another outpouring of God's Spirit in the late 1960's and early 1970's called the Charismatic Movement. By the early 1980's, this move of God had all but died out. By the early 1980's, man was, again, establishing great buildings to hold this move of God.

God has set up David's Tabernacle, and praise and worship rings in the earth, 

again. But this has become ritualistic in form, just as it had become in David's time. But God is going beyond what He did in David's Tabernacle. He is bringing this to pass on Mt. Moriah. 

Let us compare David of the Old Testament with Jesus of the New Testament. Both were beloved and both were given a way to the very presence of God. 

David's name means "beloved". Jesus is our "Beloved". David made it possible to enter into the very presence of God by erecting David's Tabernacle. This shows that we can enter into His very presence through worship and praise in the Spirit.

Jesus, at His death, tore the veil in the temple, thus, opening the way for everyone to enter into His presence. Those who are still in the old form religion churches and desire to come out, have access through the torn veil to enter into God's presence. 

Those who still worship Jesus in the flesh can have access to God through the new and living way. The new and living way is the Holy Spirit infilling. This is still available to His people who have accepted His torn flesh, and His shed blood, which is forgiveness of sin; but they must go beyond the torn flesh, into a Spiritual walk with God.

God was not finished at David's Tabernacle. God had put it in David's heart to build Him a permanent dwelling place; a place for His glory to rest. David was not allowed to build this temple of God, but he drew the plans and provided much of the material and money to build the temple. It could not be built by David because the Word said he was a bloody man. This temple could not be built except by the "all wise son", Solomon. 

In the New Testament God speaks of building a permanent dwelling place in the earth, today, out of living stones. Jesus could not build this house because he, too, had to shed blood; not the blood of God's enemies as David, but His own blood, that man may have forgiveness of sin.

Jesus was the foundation stone of this temple that would be built.

Jesus, as David, drew the blueprints in His life, and provided all the materials; but He could not build the temple He would inhabit. This temple, also, has to be built 

by the one who contains all wisdom; and that is the Holy Spirit of God. It is the Holy Spirit who is doing the work in the Body. It is the Holy Spirit that is bringing the Body into the image of the Father.

God is going to build His spiritual house. Solomon's Temple is a type of this Spiritual house. We can see in the physical, what God is going to do in the Spirit. This temple is being built on Mt. Moriah.

Chapter Seven

ORNAN'S THRESHINGFLOOR

The building of Solomon's Temple shows the type of the spiritual temple God is building in the earth today. Many, today, are erroneously looking for a physical temple to be built in the nation, Israel. Some believe it will be built, again, on the original sight of Mount Moriah. But God will never again dwell in a temple that man has built for Him.

The temple has been built 3 times; first by Solomon, then by Zerubabel (this was the temple built after the Babylonian

Captivity), and the third, Herod's Temple. Herod's Temple existed at the time of Jesus and was destroyed by Herod in 70 A.D. 

The number three in the Bible means complete. All things are complete in three. Below are some examples of God's number of completeness.

1. There are three attributes of God:
Omniscience
Omnipresence
Omnipotence
2. The complete Godhead: 
Father
Son 
Holy Ghost
3. The completeness of time:
Yesterday Past 
Today ALSO Present
Tomorrow Future
4. God's creation: 
Sun Animal
Moon ALSO Vegetable
Stars Mineral 
5. There are three sins:
Lust of the flesh
Lust of the eyes
Pride of life
6. Three dimensions make a cube:
Length
Breadth
Height
7. Three lines make up the first geometrical figure; the triangle. The triangle is the strongest
geometrical figure.
The list goes on and on. The number three always means complete.

Thus, the building of God's earthly temples are complete. No physical temple will be built again that God will inhabit. God is building His spiritual temple in the earth, which He will inhabit for all eternity. That temple is being built of "Living Stones". 

In order to understand the building of Solomon's Temple, we must look at the preparation which God made through David. 

After David had been king for many years, he sinned a great sin. This sin brought much destruction upon the people of Israel. David numbered Israel (took a census) which was against God's commandments. Because of this sin, God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem.

When God repented, the angel of the Lord stood by Ornan's Threshing Floor.

God commanded David to erect an altar on the threshingfloor of Ornan. This commandment was against Moses' Law. Under Moses' Law, only the Levites were to attend 

the altar and offer sacrifices. David was of the tribe of Judah and held no priestly office. 

David went up to Ornan and Ornan offered to give David the threshingfloor, the oxen for the sacrifice and the threshing instruments for the wood used in the sacrifice. He was willing to furnish all for David's sacrifice.

David's sin brought judgment upon Jerusalem. He knew that sin always has a price tag. David's sin had a great price tag. 

David's sin could not be paid for by someone else's sacrifice. 

Because of David's sin, 70,000 Israelites died. Today, when we sin, it may not cost 70,000 lives, but sin has an effect on everyone it touches. Sin has a price tag. Sin is not free. 

In ancient times, farmers had two main possessions besides their land: their threshing- floor and their winepress. The threshingfloor was where they beat out the full, ripe grain. The grain was winnowed, or thrown against the wind, to remove the chaff. Only the full, ripe grain remained. Only the full, ripe grain was taken into the granary.

The production of wheat shows how God operates in our lives. God is preparing a people that will not be part of the Winepress of the Wrath of God, but of the threshingfloor of the full, ripe grain.

First, the wheat must be planted. When it comes up, it looks like every other grass. This is how we look when we accept God's forgiveness of sin. We continue to look like everyone else around us until we begin to grow.

But some never grow. They continue to look like the grass of the earth. They never take on the characteristics of wheat and they never mature. When wheat comes to full maturity the true seed can be distinguished from that which never developed. As wheat matures it grows above the grass of the earth, and very shortly, it begins to form a head.

All this early growth takes place in the spring when there is plenty of nourishment from the sun and rain. Then, something happens. The heat of summer 

arrives. This is the time of testing God puts in our lives. The head begins to ripen and come to maturity. That which is in our head begins to take root and hold fast. We come to the place where we no longer have faith to live by, but we begin to know. We begin to operate on God's word and apply it in our lives.

The heat of summer and adversity brings to full maturity that which we have in our head. This is when the head of the wheat begins to bow down. This is called humility. Now we have come to the place where we can be used of God. But before God can use what is in our head, there is another step which we must go through. That step is to separate the wheat from the earth.

If we are going to be used of God, we must be separated from the earth and taken to the threshingfloor. On the threshing-floor, the pure grain is beaten out with rods. This represents severe times of testing and maturing in our lives today. All that the earth has produced in our lives must be totally beaten out. When the work of the Rod of Reproof is complete, then as Luke 3:17 says, 

God is only going to take His full, ripe fruit into the granary. The chaff will be burned. The chaff are those things in our lives that do not bring glory to God; those things that we don't want to let go of. All those who will go into His granary will go through the threshingfloor to be winnowed by His fan. 

What happens to those who will not come to maturity? In Revelation 14 there are two sickles. These two sickles foretell of the harvest at the end of the world. The first sickle harvests the whole earth.

This is the Harvest at the end of the world spoken of in *** Matthew 13:39. The wheat and tares are harvested together. 

After the earth is harvested, the second sickle is thrust into the harvest and gathers the full, ripe fruit. Then the vine is gathered.

The vine brought forth the full, ripe fruit. This represents the church system. The full, ripe fruit is the True Church; those who have matured on the Word of God, not on the precepts and doctrines of men. The full, ripe fruit represents those who have been to the threshingfloor and have separated from the flesh. 

The vine represents the church system which will be cast into the winepress of the Wrath of God. Those that are cast into the Wrath of God are those who must endure until the end to be saved. 

Those that refuse to go to the threshingfloor now, will be brought to maturity in the Wrath. The church system is teaching a False Rapture. Those who are depending upon a rapture to take an immature, untried, untested and full-of-chaff church off the earth, are destined to go through the Wrath of God.

David was taken to the threshingfloor for his sin. There, David built an altar, and offered his sin and peace offering unto the Lord. *** I Chronicles 21:26

After David's sacrifice, the angel put his sword back in his sheath; the plague against Jerusalem was stayed. You may wonder what Ornan's threshingfloor has to do with the building of Solomon's temple. Ornan's threshingfloor was where Solomon built the temple.

The temple God is building in the earth, today, is being built on the threshingfloor. This is where our altar is erected and our sacrifice is made.

As I stated before, Solomon's Temple represents the permanent dwelling place God is building in the earth. The word tabernacle means "temporary dwelling place". Both Moses' Tabernacle and David's Tabernacle were made from temporary materials. Solomon's Temple was constructed of permanent materials.

The tabernacles represented the flesh. All flesh is

temporary, but Solomon's Temple 

represents the Spirit. The Spirit is eternal. Solomon's Temple represents the Spiritual house, God's permanent dwelling place, in His people.

David, the beloved, made many preparations for the building of Solomon's Temple. 

David gathered the materials for the temple. He even began hewing the stones.

David supplied 100,000 talents of gold, and 1,000,000 talents of silver. The brass and iron could not be weighed for the abundance. He even prepared the workmen. David's heart was to build this permanent dwelling place for God. In *** II Chronicles 3:1, "...David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite." By studying the building of Solomon's Temple, everything David supplied was only a small percentage of what was needed to build the temple.

The millions in gold and silver, all the brass and iron without weight, all the stones and lumber that David had accumulated was just a small portion of what was needed to build the temple. It could be said it was the Firstfruits of the building.

We can see a correlation of this in the Baptism of Jesus. When Jesus came to the river to be baptized of John, Jesus said, 

"...For thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." *** Matthew 3:15

John possessed two things that Jesus was to possess after His baptism. One was the heir to the priesthood, being the son of the high priest. The second was the baptism of the Spirit John received in his mother's womb. God never begins the new without fulfilling the old. 

Zachariah was the high priest. The priesthood passed from father to son. Therefore, John, the son of Zachariah, was heir to the priesthood.

Jesus was of the tribe of Judah through the lineage of Mary and Joseph, His step-father. On the day of Jesus' baptism, He became the heir to the priesthood. We read of this in Hebrews.

The priesthood passed from John to Jesus. This happened when John baptized Jesus. There are only two priests mentioned after Zachariah; Annas and Caiaphas. There is no mention of a tribe with either of these priests. Zachariah was the last of the Levitical priesthood. His son, John, was the heir to the Levitical priesthood.

The second thing Jesus received in the river that John possessed, was the Holy Spirit anointing which was upon John. We know by *** Luke 1:15, that John was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. But John told the people, "He (Jesus) must become more and more, as I become less and less." No man can decrease unless the Holy Spirit anointing is upon him. But as John baptized Jesus, the anointing that was upon him had transferred to Jesus.

The proof of this was when John began to criticize the activity of the government and when he began to doubt who Jesus was.

God did not send him to criticize the government. His only duty was to prepare the way in the wilderness for Jesus. Before John baptized Jesus, he spoke with boldness and courage. But after the baptism of Jesus, John was thrown into prison for what he said to Herod. John began to doubt who Jesus was. He sent his disciples to Jesus.

"...Art Thou He that should come? or look we for another?" *** Luke 7:19

Before John baptized Jesus, there was never any doubt in John's mind who Jesus 

was. But, now, doubt had set in. The anointing was gone. John became less and less and Jesus became more and more. John's work was to prepare the way in the wilderness. His job was complete, but Jesus' work had only begun. When Jesus raised up out of the water, He received another baptism of the Spirit in the form of a dove. The dove is the sign of peace. Jesus possessed, not only the anointing which had been upon John, but the Baptism of Peace. 

"...for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him." *** John 3:34

For God gave the Spirit without measure to Jesus. What David planned for the building of King Solomon's Temple was only the beginning, only the down payment, or the firstfruits of the temple. 

This was a type of the anointing that was upon John and, also of the anointing that came on the Day of Pentecost.

Paul said that "ourselves", which included Paul, have received the firstfruits of the Spirit.

The word "earnest" is ARRABON and means "deposit or down payment".

Again, we have received only the down payment of the Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit of Promise is the "earnest of our inheritance". The Day of Pentecost was the receiving of the firstfruits of the Spirit. It was only the down payment of the Spirit. But we have the promise of God that we, who have received the down payment, will receive the fullness, as Jesus our example. It was not David, the beloved, who built the temple, but Solomon. Solomon means "peace or peaceable". We see the temple was built in the time of peace.

God will build His temple in the earth when we have subdued the enemies on every side (satan and his kingdom). The earth is going to be subdued before God. We will overcome the flesh in the time of peace. We must allow the cleansing fire of the Cloven Tongues to do its work now to prepare us to receive the Baptism of Peace.

Great are God's promises for the temple He is building in the earth. David provided the firstfruits to build the temple. We received the firstfruits (the Cloven Tongues) to prepare God's permanent dwelling place in the earth. David prepared the place where the temple would sit. The Cloven Tongues are preparing us to become a permanent dwelling place of God.

Chapter Eight

THE GLORY OF THE LATTER HOUSE

Before we proceed with the building of Solomon's Temple, it will be necessary to compare the time that the temple was built, with the times we live in today.

This was before Solomon began to build the temple. The old form worship was still active in Moses' Tabernacle at Gibeon. Even though the glory had departed, it did not stop their form worship. The Ark was in David's Tabernacle on Mount Zion where worship and praise were offered up before the Ark night and day. The two form worship systems operated simultaneously.

God was about to do something else. There was another mountain, Mount Moriah where God would build His house of permanent materials, not temporal. The temporary material is flesh (skin). The permanent materials are Spiritual.

Moses' Tabernacle represents the old denominational system, where the glory has departed. David's Tabernacle represents the Pentecostal, denominational systems, which are offering up worship and praise in temporary tabernacles (the flesh) based on emotion and form. Although they began in the Spirit, man has brought this mighty move of the Spirit under his control. These two systems are still in the earth, today. They are very visible.

On Mount Moriah, the land had been cleared, materials stored, and God was ready to begin construction of His permanent house. 

Moses' Tabernacle was at Gibeon. Gibeon means "little hill". Those in Moses' Tabernacle, the old denominational system, have very little vision . . . "Get saved, get baptized and hang on until you die or Jesus comes again" . . . is as far as they can see. 

David's Tabernacle was on Mount Zion which means "parched place" or "sunny heights". The "parched place" is where the heat is turned up in our lives. When we begin our walk with God, He begins to cleanse us as gold and silver are cleansed. The "sunny heights" represents the higher 

vision, or Spiritual vision, that comes with the anointing. 

When the Pentecostal movement began, God poured out His Spirit and lives were changed. The Word began to open in a new way. The people were given a "higher vision". They still needed to be saved and baptized in water, but they knew there was more. They could see the results of the outpouring of the Spirit in their lives. 

Yet, there was still a greater work that God was going to do on Mount Moriah. Moriah means "my teacher is Jah" or "my teacher is God". These people are going to be built into a permanent dwelling place of God. These have not been taught by man or their man-made systems. They have been taught by God, Himself. These have grown up into the head which is Christ, and have "put on" Christ. Their desire is not to please man, but God, alone. 

There were three positions of God in Moses' Tabernacle: 

-1- Outer Court

-2- Holy Place

-3- Holy of Holies

The Outer Court is only natural light; a place to deal with sin. We have the Brazen Altar and the Laver. Those who have gone no farther than the Brazen Altar and the Laver, have only accepted initial salvation and baptism; no move of the 

Spirit. This is as far as the old denominational system has gone. 

In the parable of the sower, Jesus said that the seed which was sown was the Word of God. By studying this, we find the seed by the wayside brought forth no fruit, the seed which fell on shallow earth brought forth no fruit and the seed which fell among the thorns brought forth no fruit. The weeds in their lives choked out the Word. Only the seeds which fell on good earth produced seed; and that seed did not produce seed evenly.

There are those in whom the Word only brings forth thirty fold. Thirty is the age of maturity. When we become 30, it means we are somewhat mature. The Outer Court is this "maturing realm". This realm consists of a steady progression from Step 1 to step 30. 

When we mature completely in this realm, we step up to number 31 where we enter another move of God.

Jesus was thirty when He began His ministry. Joseph was thirty when he stood before Pharaoh. David was thirty when he became King. All three of these men had been tried and proven before they were used in their rightful place in God. Therefore, 

the Outer Court is the "maturing realm". The thirty fold realm is where we find the old denominational system.

The second move of God in Moses' Tabernacle was the Holy Place. The Pentecostal movement is represented in the Holy Place. This is the sixty fold realm, or the "suffering realm". 

Jesus said some brought forth sixty fold. In this realm the Holy Spirit begins to work in our lives by cleansing all impurities; turning up the heat in our lives. The Holy Place contains steps 31-60. The sixty fold realm is where we must die to self. We must do this before we move to Step 61, which is entering into the Holy of Holies. 

The Holy Place in Moses' Tabernacle is the "Cloven Tongues realm". On the Day of Pentecost, Cloven Tongues of fire came upon the flesh. These were cloven tongues of "cleansing fire". When we see an artist's conception of the Cloven Tongues, they are usually red or crimson. When a fire burns red, there are impurities in the fuel. Our God is a consuming fire, and there are no impurities in Him; therefore, His fire is pure white, a fire so bright, the human eye cannot behold it.

The word cloven is DIAMERIZO which means "to put asunder, to divide, or separate". The Cloven Tongues of fire brings separation. The "Cloven Tongues" separate those who desire to go on into God, from those who are happy with their old form worship.

The very presence of God is in the hundred fold realm, the Holy of Holies, the third move of God in Moses' Tabernacle. 

At the time Solomon began to build the temple, Moses' Tabernacle and David's Tabernacle were still having their worship services. They were holding form worship in Moses' Tabernacle, and in David's Tabernacle they were holding form worship and praise. But God was beginning to build His permanent dwelling place on Mount Moriah.

David's Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple were in Jerusalem. Jerusalem represents the "true place of worship". Jesus told His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem, until they would be endued with power from on high, *** Luke 24:49. He was speaking of the Day of Pentecost.

Only when we come to Jerusalem, the true place of worship, and tarry there in obedience, willing to remain in the suffering realm until all flesh is burned away; only then will we step into the Holy of Holies, the hundred fold realm, the very presence of God through the anointing upon the flesh.

Now is the time of preparation. All materials needed to build a permanent dwelling place are being stored; ready to begin permanent construction in our lives. But as Solomon, before we can become a part of the temple He is building, our heart has to be right. Solomon's prayer to God shows where we must be if we are going to be part of that temple God is building in the earth. 

Solomon's only desire was for "wisdom and knowledge". We need to go to the New Testament to understand what Solomon asked for. 

Solomon's desire was to walk in that "Spirit of Wisdom and Knowledge"; to have the revelation of God in his life. God was pleased with Solomon's request, and because of this, He added all other things unto him.

Through the Spirit of Wisdom and Knowledge, Solomon became the wisest of all the kings of Israel. His wisdom was spoken of by Jesus. Solomon did not desire riches, wealth, honour or long life. 

His whole desire was for wisdom and knowledge to rule well over God's people. Solomon's desire was pleasing in God's eyes. 

Solomon's desire was not the things of this world. Yet, today, God's people are taught not only to desire the things of the world, but to demand them of God. They are told, "Keep believing and confessing unto God until He gives you your every want." The New Testament tells us the exact opposite. The things of this world and the things of the flesh are enmity with God. Yet the "Faith and Prosperity" message continues to be taught and believed. 

In many churches the message is: "Get saved. Get Baptized. Get filled with the Holy Spirit and Get rich." In the beginning, God blessed Solomon because he did not desire riches; his only desire was to be pleasing to God. This should be our total desire, also.

God said, because Solomon's heart was right before Him, He would give him all those things that he did not desire in the flesh. These things are not to be demanded from God as a basis of our serving Him; they are a reward from God because we do what is right in His eyes.

This was the demand of Jeroboam and the people of Israel when they came before Rehoboam.

Some put these same demands upon God today. They want God to be their servant. They want only good words spoken unto them. They do not want to be admonished for their sin. In their heart they would serve a god like this forever; as long as change is not demanded in their lives.

God desires a people who want to serve Him; not a people from Gibeon, (Moses' Tabernacle), who have very little vision in their form worship; or the people from Mount Zion, who have received the anointing, and have gone no further. These have a vision of who God is, but no vision of what He is going to do. God is looking for a people who are allowing Him to build them on Mt Moriah. He is looking for a people who will hear His voice and that will be willing to be taught of God. He is looking for a people whose only desire is to be pleasing in His sight.

Those who are not satisfied with just the firstfruits, or the down payment of the 

Spirit, are allowing the Cloven Tongues to cleanse the chaff out of their lives. They have overcome the world and are set apart unto God. They hear what the Spirit is saying unto the churches. They have allowed the "Cloven Tongues" to do their cleansing work and are being prepared to go on into God's presence. This day of "entering in" lies directly ahead of us. God will have a people. 

It is time we go "Beyond the Cloven Tongues". It is time we go on into that which God has promised. God is building a house in the earth; built out of the Living Stones spoken of in *** I Peter 2:5.

This is a Spiritual house, built from Spiritual stones, which God is shaping now, in the earth. Just as David quarried the stones for Solomon's Temple, the Holy Spirit is molding and shaping us after His will. When He builds His house, it will be perfect in every detail.

Haggai speaks of this Spiritual house:

Haggai was written after the Babylonian captivity. When the Jews returned to Jerusalem they found the house of God burned and stripped of all its wealth. Zerubbabel began to rebuild the temple out of the rubble. Haggai understood that the "former house" was King Solomon's Temple. He also understood that the house they could build out of the rubble would not be greater then Solomon's Temple, in all its splendor and glory. Haggai knew and understood that the "latter house" would be the Spiritual Temple that God is going to build in the earth in the last days. This latter house is the house that will be filled with all God's splendor and glory in the earth today.

The Ark, the very glory of God, never rested in Zerubbabel's Temple. Haggai was speaking of the house which God is going to build in "this earth". This Spiritual Temple is going to be greater and more glorious than King Solomon's Temple.

The "desire of all nations" is His people from whom He is going to build His glorious house. Will this house be greater than the church after Pentecost? Jesus said that we will do greater works. The early church did not accomplish these greater works because they had only received the down payment of the Spirit. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, what God has planned for His people. There is no way to imagine what God is going to do with this people to whom will be given the fullness of the Holy Spirit. There is a glorious time ahead for those who will be His people.

As we consider the hundred fold realm, or the Holy of Holies, and the way of entering in through the Spirit, we also realize there is a "day of entering in". This "day of entering in" is foretold in the Feasts of Israel.

There are three main feasts in Israel:
-1- Feast of Passover
-2- Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
-3- Feast of Tabernacles
There are 7 celebrations connected with these feasts: 
-1- Feast of Passover
-2- Feast of Unleavened Bread
-3- Feast of Firstfruits
-4- Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
-5- Feast of Trumpets
-6- Feast of Atonement
-7- Feast of Tabernacles

The Feast of Passover has three celebrations. They are the Passover Feast, The Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Firstfruits. The Feast of Passover lasted eight days. This feast was held in the first month of the Jewish year. The number "one" always means God, or beginning. These celebrations were kept for 1,400 years by Israel. They foretold the coming of Jesus, who He is in our lives, and our future hope.

The first three celebrations reveal Jesus and His work on earth. Jesus is called our "Passover Lamb".

Jesus was the Passover Lamb slain as a sin offering for us. Leaven is the symbol for sin. Jesus was the "Unleavened Bread". Jesus said,

"I am that bread of life." *** John 6:48

He was that unleavened bread of life, without sin, sent from the Father.

Jesus was also the "firstfruits". The firstfruits were the first ripe heads of grain which were gathered and waved before the Lord. This was called the "wave offering". Jesus was the firstfruits of many brethren, *** Romans 8:29. He was also the firstfruits from the dead. *** Revelation 1:5

The second feast was the "Feast of Weeks". This feast was celebrated fifty days after the Feast of Passover. The Greek word for fifty is "pentecost". This is why the Feast of Weeks is also called the Feast of Pentecost.

When seven sabbaths were complete (7x7=49), the next day was the Feast of Pentecost, making it 50 days after the Passover. Fifty is the number of the Holy Spirit. This was the day the Holy Spirit came to dwell with man forever. The Feast of Pentecost was in the third month. (Again, three meaning complete). There was no salvation until the Day of Pentecost. The coming of the Holy Spirit completed the salvation plan of God.

The Holy Spirit was the second witness of who Jesus was. Two times the Father proclaimed that Jesus was His beloved Son, in whom He was well pleased. *** Matthew 3:17 & Matthew 17:5

Jesus said, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me." *** John 15:26

Therefore, the coming of the Holy Spirit was the second witness as to who Jesus was. The Father was first, then the Spirit. The Bible says that in the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter will be established. *** Deuteronomy 19:15

"Passover" showed the coming of Jesus, and The Feast of Pentecost showed the coming of the Holy Spirit. These feasts were kept every year by Israel. The Jewish people of today still keep these feasts.

The Feast of Tabernacles had three celebrations:
-1- Feast of Trumpets
-2- Feast of Atonement
-3- Feast of Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles was not fulfilled by Jesus or the Holy Spirit, but will be fulfilled in the lives of those who live in this last hour of time. The Feast of Tabernacles was very seldom kept by ancient Israel.

The Feast of Tabernacles was also called the "Feast of Ingathering". These three celebrations were all held in the seventh month, or the "month of harvest".

The Feast of Trumpets was on the first day of the seventh month. There were two trumpets used in this celebration. These were made of silver.

God told Moses to make two trumpets. Two is the number of witness; and silver, the metal of redemption. The trumpets symbolize God's redemption plan for His people. The trumpets had four main purposes in the lives of the Israelites;

-1- Call to assembly
-2- Call for the camp to journey
-3- To announce the feast
-4- A call to war

The New Testament speaks of the trumpets blowing again, when God gathers His people to make up His Kingdom.

The Feast of Atonement was on the tenth day of the seventh month. This was the "day of entering in". The Day of Atonement was the one day of the year that the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies to offer up the blood atonement for all Israel on the Mercy Seat of God. The Day of Atonement was the day the "Year of Jubilee" began. The "Year of Jubilee" occurred every 50 years.

On the Day of Atonement, the priest entered into the Holy of Holies four times. There were many sacrifices offered, and many cleansing rituals that the priest had to perform. On the Day of Atonement two goats were brought to the tabernacle; one to be sacrificed and the other was the scapegoat.

The blood of the goat, chosen by lot to be sacrificed for a sin offering, was taken into the Holy Place by the high priest. This is a picture of our Lord Jesus dying for the sin of the world, and then entering into the presence of God.

The other goat was the scapegoat and was turned loose. 

The word "fit" means "ready or able". This "able man" would take the goat into the wilderness and turn him loose. This is a shadow of the day when God removes sin from the midst of His people. It will be the time of entering into His presence. The cleansing work of the "Cloven Tongues" will have been completed. The sin problem in our lives will have been removed. This is the time that we will stand holy before God and His throne.

God shows us, by the Day of Atonement, that there is a "day of entering in". But we must come to that place in Him.

The priest's preparation for the time of entering in, discloses what we must do to get ready, and how we must prepare. First, the priest would consecrate himself before the Lord seven days before the Day of 

Atonement. He would move into the chamber in the tabernacle and spend this time praying and cleansing himself before the Lord. 

After the priest washed his flesh, he would put on his holy garments.

The washed flesh of the priest was completely covered with white linen. Linen is the symbol of Righteousness. Nothing was to touch this cleansed flesh but the righteousness of God.

White stands for "purity". On the Day of Atonement, the priest was to sacrifice a bullock for his sin and the sin of his household. This was the only condition in which the priest could enter into God's presence. If there was any sin that was not atoned for, he would have been struck dead immediately upon entering into the Holy of Holies.

The priesthood is our example in the flesh, of what we must be in the Spirit. This is the only way in which we can enter into the presence of God. God is preparing us for the "day of entering in"; 

but, first, the work in the Holy Place must be completed in our lives. We must be cleansed of all the filth of the flesh and be covered by the righteousness of God.

Moses' Tabernacle was our example of "entering in" in the flesh; but, we must "enter in" in the Spirit. 

The Feast of Atonement was held once a year. After 49 years, came the Year of Jubilee in the 50th year. As we stated before, the Year of Jubilee began on the Day of Atonement.

This was the time of liberty throughout all Israel. All those who had been sold into bondage were set free. All land was restored to the original inheritor. It was returned to them at no charge. The land was to lay idle for that entire 50th year. It was a time of liberty and rest. This was God's way to make sure that a few Israelite families would not end up with all the land and enslave His people.

God had planned that the land would lay idle every 7 years. It was a time for the land to rest; no planting was done at this time. In the Year of Jubilee, the land was to lay idle the 49th and 50th year. This was God's way of giving the land a complete rest. The property was returned at this time to the original owner. Because of God's perfect plan, there were never any crop disputes.

The Feast of Atonement is for those who are going to enter into His very presence and become the inheritors of the whole earth. God never intended for satan and those who serve him to have control of the earth. God is raising up a people on Mt. Moriah to take the land and posses it.

As it says in Habakkuk,

People conceive the church as weak and defeated with no power or authority. All they can see is the work that was done in Moses' Tabernacle and David's Tabernacle. The world cannot see the work that is being done on Ornan's Threshing Floor. When this work is complete in His people, God will restore all things unto the people. Nothing will be lacking in their lives.

The last of the three celebrations was the Feast of

Tabernacles. This feast is mentioned very few times in the Word, but is one of the most important feasts, because it shows God's protection upon His people during the coming wrath upon the earth. 

The Feast of Tabernacles is also called the "Feast of Booths" and the "Feast of Ingathering". It was held on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. This feast lasted eight days. All Israel lived in temporary dwellings for seven days. Temporary shelters were constructed for this purpose.

No matter who you were in Israel, you were to leave your nice home, with all its conveniences, and build a temporary booth from tree branches, and live in it for seven days. This began on the 15th day of every seventh month, and ended on the 21st day of the seventh month. Beginning the eighth day, or the 22nd day of the seventh month, there was a holy convocation unto the Lord. A holy convocation was a special time of praise and worship before the Lord.

The Feast of Tabernacles was to commemorate the time of Israel living in temporary dwellings in the wilderness; after they had fled from Egypt. Israel took the time from the Feast of Atonement, which was held on the tenth day of the month, until the Feast of Tabernacles, to construct their temporary dwelling places. There was no permanent material used, simply branches from trees: things that were readily available. These booths could not be attached to any permanent dwelling place.

The Feast of Tabernacles was held at the end of the harvest. The New Testament tells us that the harvest time is the end of the world.

The Feast of Tabernacles was never fulfilled in the life of Israel. These feasts are prophetic and will be fulfilled in this end time generation. The Feast of Tabernacles, as we have said, was to commemorate God's people fleeing from Egypt, and living in temporary dwellings. Egypt represents the world. 

The New Testament speaks of another time of fleeing, and a protected place that God has prepared for His people. Before we go into what God has promised for His people, we need to look at what God has not promised His people.

Most churches, today, teach a false doctrine of "Rapture". Some teach that God is going to mysteriously whisk His people off the earth before the wrath. Others teach it will come in the middle of the wrath; others at the end of the wrath. All three teachings are erroneous, and have no Spiritual backing. Not one word in the Bible speaks of rapture or even indicates a rapture. It is satan's deception of what God has planned for His people. 

The Bible does speak of a time of fleeing. Let us consider the time of fleeing in Matthew 25. In the parable of the Ten Virgins, the virgins were waiting for the return of the bridegroom (Jesus). Five were foolish and five were wise.

"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept." *** Matthew 25:5

This is true of the church system. It has been lulled to sleep by false teachings (denominational doctrines), and false hope (rapture).

The foolish had oil in their lamps, but no oil in their vessels to keep their lamps burning. Verse eight says their lamps went out. They had no oil, no Holy Spirit. There was no Light in their life. Those who are waiting for Jesus' return have light." 

"But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." *** Matthew 25:4

These not only had oil in their lamps, but they had the "vessel of preparedness". They were prepared when the cry came. 

The virgins that were wise entered into the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Jesus spoke of this time in Luke.

This is the great marriage Supper of the Lamb. Those who did not have the extra vessel did not enter in. They are the ones that are thrust out. The cry came at midnight, "Go ye out to meet Him." The virgins had to make a decision, to go, or not to go. God was not going to whisk the unprepared away; in fact, those who were not prepared to go, did not enter into the Marriage Supper. 

This same time of fleeing is spoken of in the book of Revelation.

This is the woman that brought forth the man child.

Most believe the man child was Jesus, and the woman was Israel. But God did not put John on the barren Island of Patmos to teach him history. The man child is the Ruling and Reigning saints.

The man child is the overcoming saints. The woman is the True church, or those in the Holy Place of God. She fled into the wilderness where God had prepared a place to receive her, and care for her; for a period of 1,260 days, or 3 1/2 years. God's Wrath will be upon the earth for a period of 3 1/2 years.

This is the same "time, times, and a half a time" which is spoken of in Daniel.

This same period is also referred to in *** Revelation 11:3 as 1,260 days, and in *** Revelation 13:5 as 42 months which all equal 3 1/2 years. This is the length of God's wrath.

God has given His people hope for this time! He has prepared a place of protection and provision for them. The time of "fleeing" is spoken of many places in the Word.

The wrath that is coming upon the earth will be as in the days of Noah. God did not take Noah off the earth; but put him in a protected place on the earth. Noah was not touched by God's wrath, though it was all around him.

Jesus used Noah as an example of this time of fleeing and the protected place He has for His people.

Luke also records this time.

The reference "at night", is used many times when speaking of the coming wrath. God's wrath will take place at the "midnight" of this age. John, the Baptist, spoke of this time when he spoke to the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The prophet Isaiah also prophesied of this time, and the fleeing.

The word for "indignation" is SAAM and means "God's hot displeasure, or wrath". The Feast of Tabernacles will be fulfilled at this time of fleeing into God's protected place where God's people will live in temporary dwelling places until the wrath be passed.

In summary: The Feast of Trumpets contained two trumpets of silver, or the witness of God's redemption. The trumpets were used to call God's people to assembly. God is going to call His body together at this time, as it says in Joel 2.

This is the "day of darkness" which is spoken of throughout the Word, but God is raising up His army, those who will possess the land. Joel spoke of this army of God:

This will be God's great army. There has never been a time like this before, and never will be again!

The Feast of Atonement represents the "day of entering in" to the presence of God. Sin will be separated from God's people, and God's inheritance will be restored to His people.

The Feast of Tabernacles represents those who will flee into God's protected place, and will be cared for during the wrath. The Feast of Tabernacles is the time of fleeing, a time of deliverance for God's people. The example, in the Old Testament, of Israel being delivered out of the hand of Egypt and their wilderness journey, is for us in these last days. God will, once again, deliver His people from the wickedness that is in the world. 

Jeremiah spoke of this great deliverance:

This deliverance of God's people will be so great, that God's people will no more talk about the Exodus from Egypt; but they will speak of the time that God delivered 

His people from the land of the north, and from all the lands where he had driven them.

We also read in Zechariah about the Great Day of the gathering of God's people. Zechariah tells us that all nations will keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

This will be God's requirement upon all the people that are left of all the nations.

The word "heathen" means "Gentile nations". This is a reference to the Gentiles who have accepted God's salvation plan. The Feast of Tabernacles will be the beginning of a new era for God's people. As it says in *** II Peter 3:12, We should be "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God..."

God has made wonderful promises to His people, to those who's only desire is to be pleasing to Him and walk in His ways. 

Chapter Ten

DIVINE ORDER OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE

As our Spiritual eyes are opened, it becomes very evident that God's ultimate plan is to come into a personal relationship with His creation, as He had in the beginning in the garden. What God revealed in the physical with Moses' Tabernacle and David's Tabernacle, He reveals in the Spiritual in Solomon's Temple. The tabernacles were temporal, representing the flesh. Solomon's Temple was permanent and represents the Spiritual.

As we begin to examine the building of Solomon's Temple, it will become evident that God reveals many Spiritual truths in its construction.

David had gathered only the down payment of the building, or the firstfruits. This was a shadow of the "Cloven Tongues" baptism received on the Day of Pentecost which was to prepare God's people for the "Day of Entering In".

It was in the fourth year of Solomon's reign that he began to build the temple of God. He accumulated the materials, sent men to cut cedars in Lebanon and sent hewers of stone to the mountains. *** I Kings 5

The materials Solomon chose for the temple were the very finest available. The cedar tree was called the Royal Tree. The 

Cedars of Lebanon were the best, the tallest, the straightest and the strongest. Cedar lumber was also the most costly. The psalmist wrote of the Cedars of Lebanon:

God had planted the Cedars of Lebanon. The word Lebanon means "white or pureness". Wood represents the flesh. The Cedars in King Solomon's Temple reveal that the only flesh that will be in God's Temple will be cleansed and made Holy by the touch of God. 

Solomon did not use the scrubby trees that grew in the desert, only those that had matured in the mountains; only those that had their heads in the heavenly realm. It was the same with the "hewed stones". Those, also, were taken from the mountains.

There were many stones in the desert and low places, but the stones that Solomon used came only from the sunny heights. These were not stones brought from the lower hills of Gibeon where Moses' Tabernacle had sat. 

Only those from the mountains were to be used in Solomon's Temple. These stones were shaped before they arrived at the temple. 

All the shaping and polishing had to be done at the quarry. There were no artificers at the temple to do the final work on these stones. They had to be shaped perfectly before they came to the temple, or they were rejected.

Solomon could only use the stones which were perfect when they arrived at the temple. The temple God is building in the earth, today, will be constructed of the Living Stones made ready on the "sunny heights", shaped and polished, and made ready by the "Cloven Tongue" anointing in their lives.

Those that have not been perfected will not be used in His temple. There will be no imperfection in His temple. All the shaping and polishing will be done by the hand of the Master before it is brought to the temple. Only those who have allowed the Master Craftsman to shape and mold them for His intended purpose will be usable. Solomon wrote a letter to Huram, King of Tyre, asking for a man who was skilled to work in gold, silver, brass and iron; a man skillful in purple, crimson and blue; and skilled in engraving. This man was to oversee the work as an architect. *** II Chronicles 2:7

The King of Tyre sent the widow's son, a cunning man, endued with understanding, to oversee the work in Solomon's Temple, *** II Chronicles 2:13-14. Solomon laid out the temple. Its dimensions were 20 cubits wide and 60 cubits long; by today's measurement, 30 x 90 feet. The porch was to be 20 cubits wide and 10 cubits in depth, or 30 x 15 feet. The temple was 30 cubits high, or 45 feet high. By today's standard the building would be about four stories high.

The temple was constructed of stone. The main part of the temple contained the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The Holy Place was 20 x 40 cubits. The Holy of Holies' dimensions were 20 x 20 cubits. When comparing this to Moses' Tabernacle, the Holy Place was 10 x 20 and the Holy of Holies, 10 x 10. Therefore, the dimensions of Solomon's Temple were double the dimensions of Moses' Tabernacle.

Chambers were built on the outside of Solomon's Temple to be used as living quarters and storage areas. In front of Solomon's Temple were two pillars of brass. The name of one was "Jachin" and the other "Boaz". These supported the porch. Jachin means "He will establish" and the word Boaz means "in His strength". God's permanent house, built from the "Living Stones", will be established in His strength.

The whole outside of Solomon's Temple was pure marble. The roof was flat and supported by fir beams and covered with marble. The floor of the temple was also of fir. The fir in the Bible is Cyprus. The fir beams, the walls and the posts were all covered by Cedar, thus, the whole inside of the temple was completely covered with wood.

"...there was no stone seen." *** I Kings 6:18

The stones were cut and shaped by the hand of the Master Craftsman. He built them into a temple of great beauty. But the inside was completely covered with wood; again, wood representing the flesh. God is building a beautiful temple in the earth today; but, it cannot be seen because it is completely covered with flesh. 

When we look at God's temple we can only see the flesh.

Solomon was not finished yet, as God is not finished with His temple. After the stone was covered with wood, it was carved with all the beautiful things of God; knops (gourds), open flowers and cherubims. It was then overlaid totally with gold.

When Solomon completed the temple, there was no wood showing. Everything in the interior of Solomon's Temple was pure gold. Gold represents God. This portrays God's Temple, built from "Lively Stones", under construction in the earth in this last day. All the work that the Master's hand is perfecting on these "Living Stones" will not be seen when the work is complete. All that will be seen is God's glory. Absolutely nothing but the very glory of God will be visible in His Temple. All flesh must be overlaid with pure gold. Nothing will be seen in His temple but God.

Solomon instructed that gold be placed over the beautiful art designs that were carved into the wood. Only the continual carving away of the flesh will bring forth God's handiwork. Only His covering of gold will be seen. All temporary materials in Solomon's Temple were completely covered. Only gold was visible in His Temple. All flesh must be covered by God so that only God will be seen in our lives.

Moses' Tabernacle, as well as David's Tabernacle, was made of animal skins. This is a picture of man being covered with skin, or the flesh. But Solomon's Temple was built to last forever. The flesh is temporal; only the Spirit is eternal.

Jesus received the fullness of the Holy Spirit on the banks of the Jordan River. This was the "Double Portion Outpouring" of the Spirit upon Jesus' flesh. He received the Spirit without measure or the fullness of the Spirit. God has promised this same Double Portion Outpouring of the Spirit for His overcoming people in the last day.

The number 10 in the Bible illustrates "divine order". Solomon's Temple shows the "perfect 10" or the perfect divine order of God. Solomon's Temple reveals the Spiritual realm and the time when we will enter into the Double Portion Realm.

In Moses' Tabernacle, the Holy Place measured 10 x 20 cubits and was 10 cubits high, or 10 x 20 x 10 = 2000. Two thousand years is the dispensation of the church age from the time Jesus ascended off the earth until He returns to make up His church from His Body. 

This is also the cleansing age, the time of the Cloven Tongues upon the flesh.

The Holy Place in Moses' Tabernacle represents the flesh realm, or the Cloven Tongues of fire on the flesh. In Solomon's Temple the dimensions are doubled. The Holy Place is 20 x 40 x 20. 

This is the Double Portion realm in God. As we have stated before, the number two is the number of witness. Three is complete. Four is His creation. Solomon's Temple is the perfect "ten" or "divine order". The width of the Holy Place was 20 cubits, or 2 x 10 = 20. 

The length was 40 cubits or 4 x 10. The height was 20 cubits or 2 x 10.

The Holy Place is the witness (2) of His creation (4) coming into completeness (3) in the Spirit in His divine order (10). 

Previously, we observed that no flesh was visible in Solomon's Temple. When we study the temple, we observe that not one instrument of worship from Moses' Tabernacle was used in Solomon's Temple. There was not one shovel, bowl, snuffer, basin, spoon or censer brought from Moses' Tabernacle to be used in Solomon's Temple.

They brought the "holy vessels" from Moses' Tabernacle to Solomon's Temple. We 

are not told what they did with these. They must have been stored, for they were never used in Solomon's Temple. This signifies the end of the old form worship in Israel. It, also, is an example unto us: nothing of the old, fleshly worship will enter into the temple God is building in the earth.

We will truly worship Him in Spirit and in Truth in this temple. Form worship will have ceased. All fleshly worship will be done away with. 

When Solomon built the temple, all new instruments of worship were made.

Nothing of Moses' Tabernacle was used in Solomon's Temple. This included the cherubims which were in the Holy of Holies. Solomon made new cherubims which were double the size of the ones in Moses' Tabernacle.

At the time of the building of Solomon's Temple, the ark rested in David's Tabernacle. The Ark and the Mercy Seat of God, alone, were brought into Solomon's Temple. The Ark and the Mercy Seat represent God's presence, power, protection, provision, and peace. These were all that were usable from the old system of form worship. This will never change because God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

We are the temple. The Ark of God and His Mercy Seat will dwell in us. The Mercy Seat is where God meets man.

The two cherubims over the Ark in Solomon's Temple were 10 cubits high and 10 cubits wide. Again, we see the witness of divine order of Protection. This will become reality in our lives when we go "Beyond the Cloven Tongues". When we enter into the Holy of Holies in God's Temple, our protection in God will be complete. (Double Portion Protection)

As we continue in Solomon's Temple, everything in the temple speaks of "divine order". If we are to come into that divine order, we must pass through the two pillars, Jachin and Boaz. We must be established in 

His divine strength. As Living Stones, we must have all the flesh covered by God. This will be accomplished through the Double Portion Anointing. Then we will enter into His Perfect Divine Protection.

Chapter Eleven

SPIRITUAL ISRAEL

When understanding comes in the Word, we begin to realize that the Bible is the most perfectly written book that has ever existed. 

Everything in the Bible has a meaning: the numbers, the colors, the metals, the days of the month. All are perfect in every detail. Man could never have written the Bible. All of man's collected knowledge, since Adam and Eve, would have fallen far short of writing even one scripture with all its Spiritual applications.

As we begin to understand that Solomon's Temple is the perfect divine order, we can consider this in the physical, and perhaps understand a little of what God is doing in the Spiritual. God's biggest problem with man is the flesh, and flesh is man's biggest problem with God.

Our understanding of the things of God, must first come by natural reasoning.

God has given us many examples in the Old Testament of types and shadows, as well as direct prophesies, that we may have complete understanding in His Word as the Spirit reveals it.

By the physical pattern shown in Solomon's Temple, we can consider the natural to envision the Spiritual. Solomon's Temple is an example to us "upon whom the ends of the world are come." God never desired man to build Him a house as a place of worship. 

Man can never build a house to contain God. The earth is His footstool. If we built Him a house to cover the whole earth, it would still be His footstool. Yet, man continues trying to please God with fancy, man-financed buildings. David knew that any house he built for God would only be His footstool.

It was in David's heart to build this house unto God, and he made preparations; but it was Solomon who was to build the house. Although God never wanted a house built unto Him, He blessed it and filled it with His Presence.

Solomon's Temple consisted of five parts:
-1- Great Outer Court
-2- Inner Upper Court
-3- Porch
-4- Holy Place
-5- Holy of Holies

The Great Outer Court and the Inner Upper Court were on all four sides of the main temple. The temple contained the Porch, the Holy Place and The Holy of Holies.

In the Inner Upper Court there were three instruments of worship:
-1- Brazen Altar
-2- Brazen Sea
-3- Ten Lavers

These instruments of worship were all of brass. The Brazen Altar was of the same design and shape as the one in Moses' Tabernacle; but the dimensions were different.

The Brazen Altar in Moses' Tabernacle was 5 cubits x 5 cubits x 3 cubits high. Five is the number of "Grace". The Brazen Altar is where man must deal with his sin. Three is "complete". Three cubits high shows us that God's plan of Grace is complete in Moses' Tabernacle.

Moses' Tabernacle dealt with man in the flesh. Solomon's Temple deals with man, after he has gone on from the flesh realm, to the Spiritual realm of God's divine order. 

The Brazen Altar in Solomon's Temple was 20 cubits x 20 cubits x 10 cubits high. Brass represents sin. Sin was taken care of in Moses' Tabernacle. In Solomon's Temple man is not dealing with sin, but with the old sin nature.

The brass in the Inner Upper Court of Solomon's Temple reveals man dealing with that sin nature. Even though we have been forgiven of our sin, (Moses' Tabernacle) man cannot enter into the Holy Place in Solomon's Temple until he has dealt with the old sin nature of the flesh.

Paul said, 

Paul knew the Spirit had to replace his old carnal nature. Solomon's Temple is God's example of something "Beyond the Cloven Tongues" upon the flesh.

This is why there is brass in Solomon's Inner Upper Court. It was at the Brazen Altar that sacrifices were made. This is also where we must sacrifice the flesh for the service of God.

As Paul wrote,

If we are the "Living Sacrifices" we must leave the flesh on the Brazen Altar that we may enter into the Holy Place in God. Just as Jesus had to leave His flesh on the cross, we must also leave our flesh and become a living sacrifice.

As Jesus became a sweet-smelling savour unto God, we must become a "Living Sacrifice" on the Brazen Altar if we are to become a sweet-smelling savour unto God.

The Brazen Sea or the Molten Sea was also in the Inner Upper Court. The Brazen Sea was a true work of art.

The Sea, itself, was 10 cubits across, 5 cubits high and 30 cubits around. It sat upon 12 oxen; 3 facing each of 4 directions; north, east, south, and west.

The Sea was cast with much art work. It held 3000 baths. One bath equals nine gallons, so it held 27,999 gallons of water. Water means "cleansing". 

The Sea was 10 cubits across, and 30 cubits around and 5 cubits high. Again, this was to show God's divine order.

The Brazen Sea reveals the continued cleansing needed in our lives that began when we came to the "Cloven Tongues" baptism of the Spirit. This is a must if we are to become those "Living Sacrifices". 

The Sea is 5 cubits high. Five is the number of God's grace. The sea stands upon Grace and is supported by 12 oxen. The ox was the only sacrifice used for service. The ox represents both sacrifice and service to God. When we come to God, we begin to understand that we are not our own but are bought with a price. 

When we become that Living Sacrifice, God may use us for sacrifice or for service.

Twelve is the number of God's perfect government. All things God does in our lives comes with a promise. God's Promise of Perfect Government is represented by the 12 oxen.

We are told in His Word, if we suffer with Him, we will rule and reign with Him. *** II Timothy 2:12

This is shown in the capacity of the Brazen Sea which holds 3000 baths. We know by Peter that a day with the Lord is 1000 years, and 1000 years are a day, *** II Peter 3:8. We gain understanding of these three, 1000 year days, by the Word. Jesus spoke of the first two days in Luke:

Jesus was talking about His body. Today and tomorrow are 2000 years. The "Cloven Tongues" have been cleansing His church for 2000 years. This is the time to cast out devils and to loose satan's grip on the flesh. This is also the time of cures and healings; not physical healing only, but the healing of the soul. Jesus then spoke of that glorious day when He will be perfected in His saints. The 1000 millennial reign of Christ will be the third day.

The Brazen Sea gives us a picture of this divine cleansing process that is completed in our lives through the Holy Spirit anointing. After the process is complete, we may enter into the Holy Place where no flesh will be seen.

But before we can enter in, we must consider the Ten Lavers in the Inner Upper Court. 

There were Ten Lavers, five on each side of the temple; again the number 10, God's divine order. This was beyond the Brazen Sea. 

The Ten Lavers represent a constant cleansing that must be in our lives if we are to enter the Holy Place in God.

The Lavers measured 4 cubits x 4 cubits, contained 40 baths and were mounted on wheels. The number four represents God's creation. 4 x 10 = 40 baths; again, the divine order of cleansing in God's creation. Forty, when used as a whole number, represents "testing". When this divine cleansing comes into God's creation, it truly is a time of divine testing.

The Lavers were on wheels and were thus mobile. This is to denote that wherever we go, this cleansing is to be in our lives. The Inner Upper Court and its instruments represent the divine cleansing of the flesh. This happens after we lay down our life as a sacrifice on the Brazen Altar. The sacrifice and cleansing must be dealt with 

before we can enter into the Holy Place; and into the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God.

The building of Solomon's Temple is a witness of God's love for His creation. We all desire to enter into His very presence, but before we can come into the Inner Upper Court, and before we can become that Living Sacrifice, we must deal with the old carnal nature. 

There are 8 steps that lead up to the Inner Upper Court. When we climb these 8 steps, there will be a new beginning in our lives. 

Paul reveals these 8 steps and tells us we are to think upon them. 

Paul made a list of eight things we are to be thinking about. The first is truth. Before we can take the first step, we must have the Spirit of Truth in our lives. 

Jesus said, "When the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all truth." *** John 16:13

Next, we are to be "honest". The Greek word for honest is SEMOS, which means "honourable". As representatives of God we must be honourable. Jesus is our example and our lives should mirror His life.

The third step is to be "just". Just has the meaning of "righteousness". We must be in a righteous place in God, and stand just before God. If we are to be just, we must be made just by the justifier, which is the Holy Spirit.

The fourth step is "purity". We are to be pure from the defilement of the world. That which is worldly cannot become part of the living sacrifice in the temple. Those things must remain in the Outer Court.

The fifth step is "loveliness". This certainly does not have the meaning of good looking, but is the word PROSPHILES which means "friendly towards, or acceptable to". Are we a friend of God? Are we acceptable to Him. Abraham was called the "friend of God". We, too, can be the friend of God.

If we do His commandments then we will be His friend and lovely in His eyes.

The sixth step is to "be of good report". The word is EUPHEMOS which means saying uplifting words which edify; not cutting remarks, or "put downs". 

"Let all things be done unto edifying." *** I Corinthians 14:26

It becomes clear, as we climb these steps, the kind of "Living Stones" that God is going to use to construct His spiritual house. 

The seventh step is "virtue". Virtue is the word ARETE which means " moral excellence". This is not moral excellence in the eyes of man, but moral excellence in the sight of God.

The last of the eight steps is "praise". Our lives are to be a praise unto Him.

Without these eight steps in our lives, we can never come to the place of sacrifice which God requires in our lives. The cleansing work must be done on the flesh at the Brazen Sea. The continuing cleansing of 

the soul will be accomplished at the Lavers. This work that must be done on the flesh and soul is accomplished by the "Cloven Tongues of fire" on the flesh.

If we are to receive the same baptism Jesus received on the banks of the Jordan, "The Baptism of the Dove", which is also "The Baptism of Peace", then, as Jesus, we must climb the eight steps. We must become a living sacrifice unto God through the constant cleansing of the "Cloven Tongues" upon the flesh. When this takes place in our lives, then we will come into the Holy Place in God. 

The furnishings in the Holy Place in Solomon's Temple were of the same design as they were in Moses' Tabernacle; but there were 10 candlesticks and 10 Tables of Shew Bread.

In Moses' Tabernacle, the candlestick represented the church. The "Cloven Tongues baptism" was the beginning of God's church. Solomon's Temple represents the church in divine order. The 10 candlesticks were the same size and design as in Moses' Tabernacle. 

God has not changed the design or purpose of His church, but He is bringing 

it into divine order. God's true church will enter into His very presence in the fullness of the Spirit.

This is also evident in the Table of Shewbread. There was one table in Moses' Tabernacle. In Solomon's Temple there are ten. The Table of Shewbread represents God's government and provision. 

In Moses' Tabernacle there were 12 loaves of bread. In Solomon's Temple, there were 120 loaves of bread, or 12 x 10. Again we see God's divine order of Provision, and also His divine order of government.

In the Inner Upper Court, God is cleansing those who will come into the Holy Place. The cleansing in the Great Outer Court must be complete so that we may enter into the divine order in the Holy Place of God.

Another furnishing in the Holy Place was the Altar of Incense; 

also called the Golden Alter. The Alter of Incense was the same dimension as the one in Moses' Tabernacle. It sat before the Holy of Holies. This altar represents our worship and praise.

We enter into God's presence by worship and praise. It was the same in Moses' Tabernacle, David's Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple. It is also the same in the temple that God is building in the earth today. Only through our sacrifice of worship and praise will we enter into His presence.

In Moses' Tabernacle there was a gate, a door and the veil. In Solomon's Temple there were two doors. These doors reveal who will enter in.

The doors and the post were made of the olive tree. Who does the olive tree represent?

The Gentiles (the wild olive tree) were grafted into the olive tree, and partook of the root and fatness of the olive tree. The olive tree is the symbol of Israel. When we say Israel, we automatically think of the country of Israel and the Jewish people. 

But this is not the Israel of the New Testament. The word Israel means "rulers with God" or "the prince of God". We know that the word "prince" means "Son of the King". The Bible tells us that we, as the sons of the King of Kings, are going to reign with God. Paul understood who "true Israel" was and revealed it unto us:

Paul wrote, "...but a new creature". The word for creature is KTISIS and should have been translated "creation". Those of the new creation are the ones who are in "Christ Jesus".

The new creation is in Christ Jesus. This is the Spiritual anointing which came on the Day of Pentecost, the "Cloven Tongues" anointing. This is the anointing which came to cleanse and prepare God's church so that we may enter into the very presence of God. 

Are the Jewish people, then, the Israel of God? They are "natural Israel" because they are of the seed of Jacob, but they are not part of the Spiritual Israel unless they have become the "New Creation in Christ Jesus". The New Creation comes only by the Spirit. Can this be proven by the Word?

Those who are without Christ, the Holy Spirit anointing, are aliens. The word for aliens means "alienated". Another word we use today is "estranged" which means "separated". When the Holy Spirit begins to operate in our lives, we are no longer separated from Israel. We are no longer strangers to the Covenant and promises of God because we are that new creation "Israel". The olive tree, therefore, is Israel. God is the root and fatness of the olive tree. 

The doors into the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies were made of olive wood and covered with pure gold on both sides. Gold represents God. Those who enter into the Holy Place in God will have put on God (the Holy Spirit). When Israel, God's rulers and reigners, enter into the presence of God, it will not be by the blood of Jesus. The blood was for the forgiveness of sin. The work of the blood was necessary in our lives to bring us into the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The blood prepared us for the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit. The work of the blood of Jesus was on the flesh. 

The Spirit's work is in the soul. When our "day of entering in" comes, the blood of Jesus will not be seen; only the purity and holiness of God will be visible. If His purity and holiness are not seen, then we will not enter into His presence.

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." *** Gal. 3:27

In Solomon's Temple, no flesh is visible. Even though we have "put on" Christ, the new man, and have become the Living Sacrifice unto God, we must remain in the Inner Upper Court until the "Cloven Tongues" have completed their work in our lives. Only then will we enter into the Holy Place in God.

In Solomon's Temple there was also a Great Outer Court. Most of God's people are still in the Great Outer Court, and have not yet climbed the 8 steps which lead to a "new beginning" in the Inner Upper Court. They have not yet come to the Servant Realm; but 

remain in the Child Realm. Those who come to the Inner Upper Court desire to shed the Servant Realm, and enter into the Friend Realm in God; that they may move on into His presence which is the Son Realm to rule and reign with Him.

The dedication of Solomon's Temple reveals the time when God will fill His people with His glory and power. But before we go into the dedication of the temple, there is one other item in the construction of the temple we need to look at; and that is the nails which held it all together.

Solomon's Temple was the perfect 10.

God's number for grace is 5.

Ten is His divine order; 5 x 10 = 50.

God's divine order and grace hold the temple together. Fifty is also the number of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in the temple, God's grace and divine order are held together through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also holds together the Spiritual temple that is being constructed in the earth, today.

There are so many "fifties" in the Bible. The coming of Pentecost was 50 days after the Feast of Passover. The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost completing God's salvation plan for mankind.

Noah's ark was 50 cubits wide. The width gave it the stability. The Holy Spirit gives us our stability.

There were 50 loops and 50 taches in Moses' Tabernacle. The loops and taches held the whole perimeter of Moses' Tabernacle together. It is the Holy Spirit that holds everything around us together.

The Holy Spirit ministers divine order and grace in our lives. 

Whatever God is doing in your life, it is the Holy Spirit that is bringing it forth, and holding things together.

It took 50 shekels of gold in nails to hold Solomon's Temple together. The same is true in our lives. We must have the Holy Spirit of God in our lives, holding it together, to bring us into the Holy Place in Him.

It took seven years and 6 months to finish the temple. When the temple was completed, Solomon called together the elders of Israel, the heads of tribes, to bring up the Ark from the city of David, Mt. Zion.

They brought the ark to the temple on the Feast of Tabernacles. On this day, the glory of God came to rest in its permanent dwelling place. The Feast of Tabernacles was never fulfilled in Israel; it is to be fulfilled in this last generation. 

God's ultimate plan for His creation is laid out in Solomon's Temple. It reveals the place we can come to where there will be no separation between Him and His creation. Two things that separate us from God are sin and the flesh. His desire is that we "put off" the old man of flesh and become His Spiritual temple that He will inhabit forever.

Jesus referred to His body as the temple. The word that Jesus used for temple was NAOS and refers to the Spiritual temple. When speaking of the physical temple, the word is HIERON.

God does not dwell in temples made with hands. God will only dwell in a Spiritual house. These are the temples He has designed and shaped by the Holy Spirit. God is going to dwell in His Spiritual temple which are His people He has designed and shaped for His purpose. In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he told them three times that they were the temple of God.

God's people are going to be those whom He dwells in, and walks in; those who have made Him their God in everything. This will only be done through the Holy Spirit.

Paul laid out God's ultimate plan for His people in his letter to the Ephesians.

Without the Holy Spirit, we are aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. If we are to be fellow citizens in the household of God, we need to be built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. The apostles are the New Testament, and the Prophets are the Old Testament; Jesus is the cornerstone of both. Jesus was the cornerstone of the temple Solomon built; and He is the cornerstone of the Spiritual building God is building today. 

Ephesians 2:21 says that it is "fitly framed together." It grows into the Holy temple that God is going to inhabit for all eternity. This is being accomplished through the Holy Spirit. 

Ephesians 2:22 says this temple is to be a habitation of God; a place that God will live and reside in.

God knows those who are His. He is going to fit them together into His temple. He will walk in them, and dwell in them; and they will be His temple in the earth.

Everyone is looking to go to "heaven" to live with God; but, the Bible says, God is coming to earth to live in His creation; coming into those which have become His living temple.

The dedication of Solomon's Temple, the permanent dwelling place in God, is a shadow of the time when God will come to dwell in His people. When Solomon brought the ark into the temple, the ark was placed between the Cherubims' wings and the staves were removed.

"And they drew out the staves..." *** I Kings 8:8

This marked the first time the staves were ever removed from the Ark of the Covenant. When God gave Moses the master pattern for the Ark, He gave him strict orders not to remove the staves. 

The staves were never removed from the Ark in Moses'

Tabernacle; nor were they removed when at Abinadab's house. They were never removed when David brought the Ark to Jerusalem and they were never removed in David's Tabernacle. But, when it was brought to Solomon's Temple, the staves were removed. Why? The staves were then removed because this was the permanent resting place for the Ark. The Ark was to remain in Solomon's Temple forever. 

The Ark represents God's Presence, Power, Protection, Provision, and Peace. It was not permanent in Moses' Tabernacle; the old form worship, denominational system. The Ark was there in the beginning, but because of sin, it was removed.

The Pentecostal system of form praise and worship was not permanent in David's Tabernacle. God never allowed the staves to be removed until the Ark rested securely in Solomon's Temple; where His glory would rest forever.

This reveals the living temple God is building in the earth, today and where God's glory will rest forever. When the Ark was brought up, the singing and praising Levites came with the Ark. There were 120 trumpets:

There were 120 in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost proclaiming the wonderful works of God.

"...We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." *** Acts 2:11

There were 120 trumpeters. Trumpets were used for many things in the Bible. In the Feast of Trumpets, the trumpets were used to call the assembly together, to announce the feast and to call to war. In *** Revelation 1:10, God's voice was as a trumpet. In Revelation, chapters 8 through 11, the trumpets announce the wrath. 

But in Solomon's Temple the trumpets announced the call to praise and worship in His permanent dwelling place.

In II Chronicles 5, we see what happened when the worshippers and praisers came together to make one sound.

When the priests made one sound in praising and thanking God, "oneness" in the Body became reality.

When we come to that place, where we all speak the same thing, a time when there is no more division among the Body of Christ, then, the Body of Christ will be perfectly joined together; of the same mind, and the same judgment.

Paul was not speaking of one, giant, denominational, church system headed by man; having one mind to agree; presenting a work big enough that God would have to accept it. Jesus had multitudes which followed Him; 

yet, His Word offended their religious sensitivity. They turned away, saying His words were hard sayings. It is no different today. Multitudes are still turning away when His words become hard sayings in their lives.

Paul said we should all speak the same thing. He certainly was not saying we should all espouse the same man-made doctrine; but, that we should all speak God's Word in total agreement, as it was written, revealed by His Spirit of Truth. When His Body comes into this place, then God is going to fill His Spiritual House with His glory. His Spiritual house will be made up of those Spiritual sacrifices who have destroyed the flesh on the Brazen Altar. 

This is when the "Living Stones", as spoken of by Peter, will be built up into a Spiritual house. They will become God's Holy priesthood. The cloud, the very glory of God, will fill His people.

The house God is building, is a Spiritual House, and the priesthood is a Holy priesthood and our sacrifices are Spiritual. Only Spiritual sacrifices will be acceptable unto God. When the priests in Solomon's Temple made one sound in praising and thanking, then God filled the house with a cloud.

The cloud was God's glory. God's glory is going to fill His spiritual house He is building in the earth, today, as the cloud did in Solomon's Temple.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." *** Romans 3:23

Man has sinned, and the sin problem was dealt with through Jesus; but man did not receive the promise of God's glory, because the day of being filled with His glory had not yet come. But we have that promise.

We know God's glory will be revealed in us. Paul had dealt with his sin problem, but he understood the day of "revealed glory". Peter also spoke of this "revealed glory". Peter received the keys to the kingdom from Jesus.

Peter knew the day of His revealed glory was in the future. He goes on to say,

The Spirit of God's glory will rest upon us, and one thing is sure; we will be evil spoken of.

When His Body, His Spiritual priests, begin to make one sound, God is going to fill His house with glory. They will not turn the glory upon themselves, because, as we have seen in *** II Chronicles 5:14, the priests could not stand. They were flat on their faces before the Lord. When God fills His house with the Spirit of Glory, all will be prostrate, on their faces, before Him.

When man falls backwards, He is in rebellion to God. When we come to this place in God, all rebellion will be gone; and we will bow before Him. 

When every knee bows, all will be on their faces before Him. 

The priests in Solomon's Temple could not stand because of God's presence which came into the temple. No flesh will be able to stand in the presence of God. If we are to stand in God's presence, we must have already dealt with our flesh.

In the Feast of Tabernacles, there are three celebrations: 

1 - The Feast of Trumpets represents God calling His Body together. The trumpets are blowing today; not to call His people to the same man-made order, but to call one Body unto Himself; those who have come into His image.

We have born the image of Adam, sinful man; and, we shall bear the image of the heavenly, Spiritual, or sinless man. 

2 - The Feast of Atonement represents the day of "entering in". 

In our Year of Jubilee, we will enter into the presence of God. This will be the time God will restore to the people their inheritance. He planned this from the beginning.

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." *** Matthew 5:5

God never intended satan and his people to have control of the earth, the airways or the government. God intended this for His creation; those who will hear His voice. He will give all to His new creation in the earth; His people. But first, there will be a time of cleansing the earth. This time of cleansing is called the Wrath of God, the Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, The Day of Judgement. There are many other

references to this time in the Bible.

God has a plan for His people to be in a protected place when His wrath is poured upon the earth. We read: 

The "called out ones" will be the "Living Sacrifices" who have climbed the 8 steps to the Inner Court. They will have prepared their lives for this day of "entering in". They will have the extra 

vessel of "preparedness" in their lives. When the cry comes at midnight, they will be ready to go out and meet the bridegroom. 

Those who are standing around waiting on another trumpet to blow, waiting to be whisked off the earth, will not enter into the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Only those who are ready to go in, at the cry of midnight, will be protected. Midnight always means "a new day is coming". Those who are ready will live in "temporary dwelling places" for a perfect length of time, shown by the 7 days in the Feast of Tabernacles.

3 - On the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, there was a solemn assembly, a holy convocation. This will be a very special day, a time of feasting and rejoicing. Solomon, also, dedicated the temple on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Jesus also addressed the Feast of Tabernacles.

This was the last day of the feast, or the eighth day. Eight is the number of "new beginnings". This will be a new beginning for God's people. It will be the time of "entering in". It will be the time the rivers of living water will flow out of our inner most being. It will be a special time of new beginnings in God's creation. God will totally redeem His creation for His original intent.

This is not God's new plan. He did not come up with this recently. But as Paul wrote,

This has been God's plan in Christ Jesus before the world began. The church system has robbed God's people with a promise of heaven, proclaiming we must physically die to receive it. Jesus said that "NOW" we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. If I am now in heavenly places with Him, why do I need to die to go to heaven?

God's people need to take a much closer look at what they have been taught. They need to line up what is being taught with the Word of God; then they need to line up what they have been taught with God's promises. If man's teachings do not fit the promises; then, we had better stand on the promises of God.

Jesus did not come to earth to allow His creation to kill Him; 

that man might have a nice, easy way to heaven. Yet, most messages in the church today are, "Get saved, get baptized and hang on until you die, or Jesus comes again; and after you die, Jesus will teach you all things." Man-made doctrines are keeping God's people "Babies", feeding them milk, stealing and robbing them of their inheritance in God.

Most preachers would have us believe heaven is a nursery for newborns. But heaven is not God's promise for newborns or anyone else. God has promised that we, as His "Living Stones" will be built up into a holy temple which He will inhabit in the earth. 

Jesus came to earth that He might have a people; a mature, adult, obedient, overcoming people that will serve Him; not for reward, but because they love to serve Him.

If we are going to be a part of the group of people who bear the image of the heavenly, we need to begin today to climb those 8 steps. We need to begin to think upon those things that are true. 

God's people have hope. They are the only ones who do. All hell is going to break loose upon the earth (God's Wrath). We are admonished to grow up into Him.

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." *** Luke 21:36

A U T H O R ' S N O T E

There is no thirteenth chapter in this book. The reason for this is that the author assumed the book was complete at the end of twelve chapters.

In a dream, the Lord manifested Himself holding a paper that had the words "Chapter Fourteen" on it. When the author questioned the Lord about chapter thirteen, the Lord stated, "There will be no Chapter Thirteen because thirteen is the number of satan, and satan has nothing to do with this book.

The Author
George Kirkpatrick

Chapter Fourteen

IN HIS IMAGE

As we discover the Spiritual truths of Moses' Tabernacle, David's Tabernacle, and Solomon's Temple, we come to another understanding of the hidden truths of God's Word. Paul referred to these as mysteries. In Moses' Tabernacle there are three areas: 

-l- Outer Court
-2- Holy Place
-3- Holy of Holies
David's Tabernacle contained only the Holy of Holies from Moses' Tabernacle. In Solomon's Temple the three main areas of worship were:
-l- Inner Court
-2- Holy Place
-3- Holy of Holies
The Outer Court was a patio that ran all the way around the Inner Court and contained no instruments of worship. 
There are a total of seven areas in Moses' Tabernacle, David's Tabernacle, and Solomon's Temple.
We begin our walk with God as babies, and grow in God until we, again, come into His perfect image, as man was in the Garden of Eden. In any person's natural life there are five stages of growth:
-l- Baby
-2- Childhood
-3- Teenager
-4- Young Adult
-5- Adulthood
It is no different in God's plan of growth for every saint that will come into His glorious Kingdom. The five steps of maturity in God are:
-l- Baby
-2- Servant
-3- Friend
-4- Son
-5- His Image

In the natural, not one of these steps can be bypassed. It is the same in our Spiritual growth. Five is the number of God's grace.

Seven is God's number of Spiritual perfection. Therefore, it is by His Grace that we come into Spiritual perfection.

As we have stated before, both Moses' Tabernacle and David's Tabernacle were made of skins. In both these areas, we are dealing with the flesh realm. The "Cloven Tongues" is on the flesh and deals with the flesh.

In the Inner Court of Solomon's Temple, all the vessels were made of brass. The "Cloven Tongues" are still doing the work 

on the flesh. But when we enter the Holy Place in Solomon's Temple, no flesh will be seen. It will be covered over with gold. This is the Double Portion Realm where all we see is the fullness of God. This is "Beyond the Cloven Tongues". The Spirit is no longer upon the flesh. The fullness of the Spirit has moved into its permanent dwelling place where it will reside and walk forever. 

Our walk with God began at the Brazen Altar in the Outer Court of Moses' Tabernacle when we accepted the free gift of forgiveness of sin. No matter at what age we did this, we were a baby in God. Our next move was baptism. This is shown by the Brass Laver. Both the Brazen Altar and the Brass Laver were in the Outer Court. There was no "entering in", because there was no anointing in the Outer Court. In the Outer Court we only come into a right standing with God. From there we move on into the Spiritual Realm of God. 

Peter said,

When we are babies, we can only desire the milk of the Word. 

As babes, we grow on the milk until we desire more. We then come to the Holy Place in Moses' Tabernacle. In the Holy Place, we receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit brings us into the "servant realm". As we grow in the Baptism, we desire the constant filling of the Holy Spirit. This begins the cleansing process in our lives that we may be used of God. As we grow in the "servants realm" we begin to desire more of the deeper truths revealed in the Word of God.

As the Spirit begins to reveal His hidden truths and the Lord begins to use us more, we begin to desire more and more to enter into His very presence. This, we discover, is possible through worship and praise. We cannot enter into His presence in the flesh, but by the anointing that is on the flesh, the "Cloven Tongues". At this point, we see glimpses of the glory and majesty of God. Our desire becomes less and less and we desire more and more to be pleasing to God.

This brings us to David's Tabernacle where our worship and praise is offered up 

continually before God. Paul reveals to us how we are to praise God.

In David's Tabernacle, our worship and praise is in the flesh. 

But we can still feel the presence of God through the anointing that is upon the flesh. David's Tabernacle contained the Holy of Holies which had been in Moses' Tabernacle, but there was no worship and praise in Moses' Tabernacle; only the burning of incense, a symbol of form worship and praise. When we enter David's Tabernacle we come into another realm in God and that is the "friend realm". 

As Jesus said:

When we begin to do His commandments and become obedient to His voice, He begins to reveal what He has heard from His Father. As our obedience grows through His written and spoken Word, our Spiritual ears begin to develop. As we mature in the "friend realm", we desire more and more of the Word.

The word strong is STEREOS which means "solid, stable, stedfast, and sure". When we come to this place in God, His Word becomes solid, stable, and sure in our lives. We become stedfast in our walk in Him. We grow to a place in God where we no longer operate on faith, but on "what we know". We begin to put action to the Word of God. Then we, as our brother Paul, can say,

"...for I know whom I have believed,..." *** II Timothy 1:12

We begin to operate on what we "know" is truth. We are guided by the Spirit of Truth. When the Spirit reveals the deeper things of God, His truths become our life. This will bring us to the eight steps which lead up to Solomon's Inner Court and into the "friend realm". But something happens when we climb up these eight steps.

As we enter the Inner Court, our minds are no longer on the things of the world; but are stayed on the things of God. We become that "Living Sacrifice" spoken of by Paul in Romans. 

Becoming a "Living Sacrifice" unto God is only our reasonable service. The word "reasonable" is LOGIKOS and means "our reasoning faculty". Presenting our bodies as a "Living Sacrifice" has come about by reasoning, and not by ritual or compulsion to serve God. When we arrive at the place where we desire to become that "Living Sacrifice", we have, by reasoning, come to the place that we know what is acceptable unto God.

Abraham was the only man in the Bible called the "friend of God". Abraham's life reveals that he was obedient to God. It was not that Abraham never made mistakes, but that he was obedient. The "friend realm" is where we begin to "know and understand" the things of God. John recorded the words of Jesus,

Jesus laid down His life for His friends, those who obey His commandments. At this point we are no longer called servants. When the "Cloven Tongues" have finished their work in the Holy Place in Moses' Tabernacle, The Holy of Holies in David's Tabernacle, and the Inner Court in Solomon's Temple; then, the work of the "Cloven Tongues" is complete. Their cleansing work will have accomplished God's purpose.

But there is another realm "Beyond the Cloven Tongues", and that is the "Son Realm". When we come to the place where no flesh can be seen in our lives, we will be ready to enter the Holy Place in Solomon's Temple. All the wood (flesh) was covered over by gold (God). No flesh was visible in this place. Nothing is to be visible in our lives but God. This is not only the "Son Realm", it is also the "Overcoming Realm"; but, most importantly, it is the "Inheritance Realm". Jesus revealed this to John on the Isle of Patmos:

Those who overcome will inherit all things. What is it that must be overcome? "Our flesh". As long as there is flesh in our lives, we have not overcome. No flesh will enter in. Therefore those who are the inheritors will have overcome the flesh. They will have grown up into the head which is Christ, *** Ephesians 4:15. They will have "put on" Christ, *** Galatians 3:27, so that no flesh is visible.

When the question is asked: "Who are the sons and who are the inheritors?", many believe that basic salvation, the forgiveness of sin, automatically makes them sons and inheritors. But John, the Beloved disciple, asked the question in I John:

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God?..." *** I John 3:2 

This can be read no other way, then, by a question. John goes on to tell us the answer.

John said it was not evident what we were to become, but he knew that, at His appearance, we would be like Him. Am I saying John was not a son? If he was, he would not have asked this question. When we become sons, there will be no doubt of who we are because all flesh will have been covered by God.

The power to become sons was given to all that believe. 

All who believe on His name can have this power in their lives if they desire and ask for it. God gives this power through the "Cloven Tongues" of fire to cleanse our lives so that we may come into sonship in Him.

But what about inheritance? Are the babies, servants and friends going to inherit?

The child is an heir, but will he inherit as a child? No! As long as he is a child he is no different than a servant. Do servants inherit? We can see an example of this in Abraham. 

The servant is not the heir. Only those who come forth as sons are heirs. As we look further in Genesis, to chapter 24, when Abraham wanted to get a wife for Isaac, he sent his eldest servant, Eliezer to find her.

Abraham made his servant swear he would not take a wife for Isaac from the heathen. 

Then in verse 10,

Abraham trusted this "faithful servant" with all that he had. He sent him to a far country. Not only was Eliezer a faithful servant, but he was also Abraham's friend. But he would not inherit. Only the Son had an inheritance. As we see in Revelation 21,

Only those who overcome will inherit as sons.

We now come to the last area in Solomon's Temple; the Holy of Holies. When we enter the Holy of Holies, we come into the very presence of God, beneath the cherubim's wings of His divine protection. Only sons will enter this realm in God; not the babies, nor the servants, nor the friends. Only those born in His own house will enter in. These will have come into His very image. 

So we can understand this, it is necessary to look, again, at God's creation of man.

The word for image is SELEM which means "an image of the representative of God". This image did not include man's body, because God had made that from the earth. But God created man in His Spiritual, intellectual and moral likeness. God filled His creation with glory, honor, and authority.

God gave man glory and honor and gave him total authority over His creation. Genesis 1:26 also said man was made in God's likeness. This word is DEMUT. Again, this did not mean that God made man to look like Him, but that God made man in His likeness and image. He is not simply a representative of God, but he is representational of God. All the things God is, He put in man. But man sinned. When he sinned, he was no longer in the image and likeness of the sinless God. This is shown when Seth was born to Adam and Eve, after the fall.

Man was no longer in the image and likeness of God

(Spiritual), but was in the image and likeness of sinful Adam (flesh). When Jesus came to earth, He came born of a woman, in the image of Adam (sinful flesh). But Paul said (of Jesus) in Philippians,

The word for "form" is MORPHE. Morphe does not have to do with the outward appearance of man; but, rather with the character and nature that he possessed. Although he was in sinful flesh, his inward nature was that of God. The nature that was in Him would subdue the sin nature of the flesh. In this, He was equal with God; not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. This is God's desire for each one of His creation; to come into that image which God had created in the beginning. The day of restoration will be when we come into God's image and likeness.

This, we see in Solomon's Temple in the Holy of Holies. Those who are born in His house will come into His image.

When we "put on" the new man, we are renewed (made new) after the image of the Creator: the same image as man in the Garden of Eden.

We see the image of God in a mirror. The mirror is in our minds. We are changed from glory to glory, until we come into that same image which God placed in our minds; that image of the perfection of God which man knew in the beginning. This can only take place through the Spirit.

We have born the image of the earthly (sinful flesh), and we will bear the image of the heavenly (Spiritual).

We are going to be conformed into the image of His son; not the image of His flesh, but His MORPHE, His innermost character and nature. God foreknew those who will come into the image of His son. Those who enter the Son Realm will come into His very image that God created in the beginning.

God has a people who are going to enter into this place in Him. His pattern for "entering in" is laid out in His Word. He will reveal it to all who search His Word for His hidden truths. 

When I started this book, I asked the question: What is wrong with the church? Why do we no longer see God's glory, honour, power and authority in His people. To answer this question, I want to look, again, at Isaiah.

God's people have been robbed and spoiled because they have been snared and trapped in their denominational prison houses. It is time God's people begin to cry unto their God, Restore! Give us, again, that which we had in the beginning. Not what the "Cloven Tongues" did for the early church, but give us the fullness of God. Let the "Cloven Tongues" do their work quickly, that we may go on into the perfection that God has for His people. 

Vital Words to the Body of Christ 
Freely We Have Received, Freely We Give
E-mail: vitalwords@newfoundationspubl.org
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