BROKENNESS OF ONE’S SOUL

Purification is a work of oneness. Just like Yeshua (Jesus), His Reigning Ones will be IN the Father, and the Father will be IN them. They will literally become holy, as He is holy.

We are continuing to explore the second crucifixion step in the Bride’s Baptism of Fire in this installment of HITTING THE BULL’S EYE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Please recall that Melchizedek is the predecessor of the Bride, because we are going to hover here today (See Part 8 – FAITHFULNESS TEST).

We begin to see the Kingdom of God and become inducted into His Holy Royal Priesthood by grace through faith when they accept Yeshua as our Lord and Savior. This is also when His Kingdom Seed is planted within us, which is an incorruptible seed that’s planted deep within our souls. Just like a seed in any garden, the wisdom of God knows that in order for corruptible man to put on incorruption, the Kingdom Seed within the soul of a man is dropped in dirt, covered in darkness, and must struggle to reach the light of the shekinah glory in which it was originally created before the Fall.

After the initial gift of salvation, believers learn things of the Spirit by first making a decision, then growing by exercising that spiritual reality. I have heard people say: “I am born again, so Jesus fills my soul.” This is simply not true. I could go into a Biblical explanation of this, which I do in the FULLNESS articles below; but one merely needs to look at the behavior of most Christians to see the truth. The Spirit of the Living God fills your spirit and awakens it to God when one receives the gospel of salvation, but your soul is still under the dominion of sin nature (i.e. flesh). Since Yeshua will not live where sin exists, it is extremely important for us to partner with Him to cleanse our souls. Remember that the Bridal Baptism of Fire operates beyond both levels of salvation and sanctification in the area of purification. Co-crucifixion with Christ is the way of the second level of the Baptism of Fire, and it comes by obeying His Word of Truth to where the world is crucified to us and us unto the world.

“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because ‘All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass … But the word of the Lord endures forever.’ “ (1 Peter 1:22-25 NKJV).

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal 6:14 NKJV).

The cross spoken of in Galatians 6:14 is the cross of the flesh where the world is crucified and where our souls are transformed by our death to our sin nature for the purpose of coming forth into resurrection life. The cross of the flesh transforms one’s soul. Matthew 16:24-26 speaks about someone who tries to gain the whole world, but loses his soul because he refuses to deny himself, take up his cross and follow Yeshua.

When Yeshua completely fills a person’s soul, they act like Him, talk like Him, and walk like Him, as He exhibited in the Word of God.

Let’s realize that seeing the Kingdom of God is not the same as procuring (inheriting) it (John 3:3; Gal 5:19-21). First and foremost, the Word of God is not simply some words on a piece of paper, but a person whose name is called “The Word of God” and on His thigh is written ”King of Kings and the Lord of Lord ” (Revelation 19:13-16). Royal priests know this, and they give honor where honor is due. Scripture also tell us that His Kingdom Seed is not only the “Word of the Kingdom,” but the “Word of God” (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:11). The Bible shows us that we can hear, receive, and believe the Word of God; and even though the Word of God is called the Sword of the Spirit, we also can be quite passive about it. There is nothing passive about working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (i.e. sanctification) as well as our fiery purification process, which enables us to become set apart kingdom vessels.

Brokenness is the rule for this secondary level of purification… being humble and teachable are key. When we look at the three sections of God’s Wilderness Tabernacle made after a heavenly pattern, we see that there is a curtain that marks the boundaries of God’s Sanctuary (i.e., Dwelling Place), which is made up of both the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Please note that the Holy of Holies lies within the boundaries of the Holy Place. Since the Holy Place can be equated to a person’s soul and the Holy of Holies speaks of their spirit, we know that our spirit is housed within our soul.

When we take a revelatory peek into the Ancient Hebrew Word Picture for the word “curtain,” it communicates that the curtain of God’s Dwelling Place symbolically represents the highest and most important work to be done is the purification work in a person’s soul. Wow! That’s quite a statement!

Right now the Body of Christ is being called to abide in the place of Galatians 2:20 where our sinful nature is crucified in union with the Messiah, so we can literally live on this earth by the faith of the Son of God. Please note that the Melchizedek Company is made like unto the Son of God (Heb 7:3). We know that the Son of God refused to come off the cross (Matt 27:40), and so will Mel. We are currently being sifted again and again and again to get impurities out.

Yer-ee-aw is the Hebrew word for “curtain,” and speaks of a tremulous hanging or a hanging of the fear of the Lord. The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord enabled Yeshua to walk as ONE with His Heavenly Father. Due to the fear of the Lord residing within His soul, Yeshua literally loved what His Father loved, and hated what His Father hated. And so it will be with His kings and priests of the Order of Melchizedek. When something is tremulous, it is characterized by or affected with trembling. Humility is a result of this shaking of everything that can be shaken. “Where is the place of My rest? … To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:1-2).

As we dig a little bit deeper, we see that the primitive root to yer-ee-aw is the Hebrew word yaw-rah’, which means to be broken up (with any violent action). “ When brokenness occurs resistance, independence, and pride are replaced with submission, tenderness, obedience and love. To be broken is to come to the place where He is esteemed above self. Note: Each of us must willingly submit to (be a willful participant with) the Father in this process. Brokenness cracks open the hard shell of our sinful self nature to reveal the sons of the shekinah! Brokenness is an ancient pathway and main tool to prepare our souls for the filling up of the complete fullness of the Seven Spirits of God, which is how Jesus walked in the nature of Christ on earth.

Thank God that we have boldness to enter into the Holy of Holies in the heavenlies by the Blood of the Lamb, which is His incredibly wonderful Throne of Grace and a beloved relationship with Him after we accept His gift of salvation. There still remains a need to rend the veil that is currently between a believer’s soul and spirit due to The Fall, for those who desire to rule and reign with Him and do His greater works. We are told that when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away (2 Corinthians 3:16). Unequivocally, we are brought near by the cross through the blood of Christ. The crucifixion steps involved in the Bride’s Baptism of Fire is merely a deeper spiritual reality to this truth where each one of us needs to grow into being a holy temple for the Lord before we can corporately connect wholly in love.

The process, which tears the curtain (veil) that is currently between our soul and spirit, is a top-down, heaven-to-earth crucifixion process, which results with a person being clothed with the fear of the Lord. The division between our soul and spirit is now being broken down, so the Nature of Christ can possess our souls. Thus, on both an individual and corporate level, establishing peace by making the two (soul and spirit) One New Man in Christ (Ephesians 2:15).

People are now experiencing the Lord’s discipline as His mature sons in which the depths of our souls are being broken up with a violent agitation, so He can create a new heaven and a new earth within us, as He did in the beginning. “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12).

Do you desire to be a golden kingdom vessel filled with the Nature of Christ (i.e. Seven Spirits of God)? If so, then you ARE called to be one of His Reigning Ones, and you are probably experiencing or have experienced a deep work of crucifixion of your flesh (sin nature). Be encouraged. If you are struggling, it is because you truly desire to be formed into His very image. There is a HUGE test in our willingness to pay the price to die to ourselves, so that Christ may live in us in His fullness.

Please remember that LOVE meets us in our broken places. He is a good gardener who not only plants the good seed of His Kingdom, but He works to till the soil of our hearts, so we may receive a 100-fold return in all we do, as unto the King. At this time, resurrection life is still being released to you and I in sprout form for whosoever will.

References: Gen. 1:1-5; 7:11; Deut. 30:14; Psa. 104:4; Prov. 3:19-23; Isa. 11:2-5; Dan. 7:9; Matt. 10:38; 13:19; 27:51; Luke 8:11; 9:23; John 3:3; 14:12; 17:22; Rom. 10:6,9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 15:51-54; 2 Cor. 3:16; Gal. 2:20; 5:19-21; 6:14-16; Eph. 2:13-22; 6:17; Phil. 2:8; 3:14; Col. 1:20; Heb. 5:13-14; 10:19-39; 12:1-11; 1 Pet. 1:22-25; Rev. 5:9; 19:13-16.

Check out these articles about the deposit of the Holy Spirit and the fullness of Christ:

• FULLNESS DEPOSIT => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/fullness-deposit/

• FULLNESS IS A 10% DEPOSIT UNTIL … => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/fullness-is-a-10-percent-deposit-until/

~ Robin Main

www.sapphirethroneministries.com
www.santa-tizing.com
www.mysticmentoring.com

Written February 19, 2014 – Sapphire Throne Ministries – Robin Main. Copyrighted – If you are going to copy this, please copy it right by giving attributions to this source.

Originally posted => https://www.facebook.com/SapphireThroneMinistries/photos/a.436008649804968/634786599927171/?type=1&theater

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SPECIAL NOTE:

This is part of the Hitting the Bull’s Eye of Righteousness book, which is now only available in the Understanding the Order of Melchizedek: Complete Series book => https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Order-Melchizedek-Robin-Main/dp/0998598240/.

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RESOURCES AVAILABLE:

• Ascension Manual book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188511

• Understanding the Order of Melchizedek: Complete Series book => https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Order-Melchizedek-Robin-Main/dp/0998598240/

• MEL GEL Study Guide book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188538/

• MEL GEL Study Guide: Volume 2 book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998598232/

• Set of Hebrew Living Letter Flash Cards => https://www.sapphirethroneministries.com/flashcards

• Blazing New Wine of Hanukkah: Bridal Restoration of DNA book => https://www.amazon.com/Blazing-New-Wine-Hanukkah-Understanding-ebook/dp/B010MHNZMK/

• SANTA-TIZING: What’s wrong with Christmas and how to clean it up book => https://www.amazon.com/SANTA-TIZING-Whats-wrong-Christmas-clean/dp/1607911159/ was written to fulfill a vow made to Yeshua’s face to tell the Christian Church that “Christmas will be the Golden Calf of America.” It took 10 years of full-time research, a golden scribe angel and the Spirit’s leading to unearthing His Truth in the sands of time. It covers every argument that you have ever heard about Christmas.

*****

Artist Unknown

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BRAZEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 4 (Foundation, Service and Harvest)

BRONZE BASES – FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS

Not only are all the pegs made of copper (bronze), but all the strategic foundational elements are also bronze. Anywhere a person can enter or exit the court or God’s dwelling place (the tabernacle), have bronze bases supporting it.  A base is considered to be a separate architectural feature, which is the bottom of something. It is the structure’s support or foundation, like when you pour a concrete foundation for a new home. Some foundational truths for the body is that we “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise…” (Psalms 100:4).  Worship of the Lord is essential to oneness and to entering into relationship with Him.  We become what we behold.  If we don’t worship God, we will end up worshiping something or someone else.  We were created to worship Him.

Another foundational truth is that Jesus is the foundation for the church, the chief cornerstone (2 Corinthians 3:11; Isaiah 28:16). This said.  Ephesians 2:20 also tells us that “God’s household is built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets.” When the leaders of the church are operating according to the will of God, people can easily flow into the presence of the Lord.  A good friend shared this analogy with me: “Avenues are usually free of congestion and traffic accidents.  When leaders do their own thing, it’s like a major intersection in Los Angeles when the traffic light goes out.  Traffic moves, but very painfully.  A traffic cop must come in to temporarily fill in for the errant light just as God can temporarily fix things. But don’t become complacent with the traffic cop.  It is neither his duty nor his desire to fill in for that light permanently.  Lights are meant to shine.”

BRONZE UTENSILS – SELF-SACRIFICIAL SERVICE

All the utensils of the tabernacle used in all its service were bronze (Exodus 27:19). I have to admit that I usually just tolerate useful tools.  I delegate all handyman projects to my husband. He loves doing them and I love them being done.  I know when he goes out of town on business I appreciate useful tools much more.  I still prefer a man attached to that tool.  I’m so un-mechanical it’s almost funny. I know I trivialize usefulness and I think most of Christ’s body does too.  Life is less difficult with useful tools.  They make necessary work easier.  And most important of all those useful tools (mechanical types in the body) bless all of us.  My husband’s main love language is service.  He washes the cars, mows the lawn, cooks for company, etc, etc, etc.  I do appreciate these things and feel very blessed. 

Remember Jesus didn’t think himself too good to do useful tasks.  Washing the disciple’s feet was not only an act of love, but menial labor.  Those dirty, stinky feet needed to be cleaned. Biblical love is self-sacrificial service, not just a feeling (Heb 12:28).

BRONZE CLASPS – UNITY FOR HARVEST

Last but not least for copper in the tabernacle. There were fifty bronze clasps joining the goats’ hair tent together (Exodus 36:18).  Scripturally, fifty is the number for jubilee, freedom or deliverance. These bronze clasps in the tabernacle point to unity within the church enabling the church to reach the world. The goats’ hair tent was the covering for the tabernacle, which touched the tabernacle itself.  This is a picture of the harvesters and evangelists in the body who reach out to bring the people in. God gave me a word in relation to this:

The goats’ hair tent represents those individuals who touch the unsaved (the harvesters). Just as Sampson’s strength was in the keeping of his Nazarite vows in not cutting his hair so the strength of the harvester is in the joy of the Lord.   

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.  He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seeds, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing in the sheaves with him” (Psalms 126:5-6).

I’ve researched Samson in relation to harvesters and received a wealth of knowledge, which is for another time.  Suffice it to say that the saved are called sheep and the unsaved are referred to as goats.  One day the Lord will separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), but for now the Lord wills that not one shall perish (2 Peter 3:9).  Those believers who ask for the lost as their inheritance (Psalms 2:8) and actually all believers,  are called to go out into the harvest fields for they are white (John 4:35-42).

What are we harvesting?  Souls to live eternally with Christ.  Recently, I felt led to ask a friend of mine to join me in a Bible study.  The only problem was that I cared too much about what she thought and was afraid to ask.  I forgot that I had been praying for her for over two years!  I was finally obedient and invited her. To be only told “I’d love to, but I hate to go to those things alone. Would you pick me up?” Would I!  Wow.  The fruit is so ripe it’s falling from the tree into our hands.

We need to boldly pray that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into the fields and orchards (Matthew 9:37-38).  And we still need to pray that our supervisors, the apostles, rise up and take their place.  If we aren’t about our Father’s business, this fruit can be wasted.  Either the birds of the air can eat the fruit or it can fall to the ground and rot.

I got so excited when I read Ed Silvoso’s book, That None Shall Perish. The prayer evangelism he describes is supported in the Exodus picture of the goats’ hair tent touching the Tabernacle, God’s house of prayer touching a lost world (the goats’ hair).  When we touch a person’s hair, it implies a caring relationship. How do I care for my fellow man?  By loving them by sacrificing my own agenda and comfort, and being connected to the Lord of Love.  Each believer is called to show that we really love God by loving our neighbor. Both God and the world around us are looking for the Church’s substance our natural and supernatural substance. We all need to move into a new level of sincerity so: “Let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]” (Ephesians 4:15a AMPL).

Remember that part of the word for “bronze” in the burnished bronze feet of Jesus (Rev 1:15, 2:18) means frankincense. (See PART 1 – HEAVEN’S WILL http://wp.me/p2k1dQ-55) We ARE to be frank-incense. To be frank is to be free, forthright and sincere; and thus, our lives will be unmistakably evident to a lost and dying world. Incense is the very material that produces a pleasing odor when burned. Living our lives as a daily sacrifice is a pleasing prayer. We are to be the fragrance of the Lord, the smell of the Holy Spirit, which — in Christ — will cause life and passion to come forth.

Won’t you be a vessel where heaven touches earth?

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10).

~ Robin Main

www.sapphirethroneministries.com
www.santa-tizing.com
www.mysticmentoring.com

Written October 24, 1998 – Sapphire Throne Ministries – Robin Main. Copyrighted – If you are going to copy this, please copy it right by giving attributions to this source. Blessings!

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BRAVEN BELIEVERS ARTICLES:

[1] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 1  => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-1-heavens-will/

[2] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 2 (Selfless Love) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-2-selfless-love/

[3] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 3 (Oneness) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/05/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-3-oneness/

[4] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 4 (Foundation, Service and Harvest) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-4-foundation-service-and-harvest/

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RESOURCES AVAILABLE:

• Ascension Manual book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188511

• Understanding the Order of Melchizedek: Complete Series book => https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Order-Melchizedek-Robin-Main/dp/0998598240/

• MEL GEL Study Guide book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188538/

• MEL GEL Study Guide: Volume 2 book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998598232/

• Set of Hebrew Living Letter Flash Cards => https://www.sapphirethroneministries.com/flashcards

• Blazing New Wine of Hanukkah: Bridal Restoration of DNA book => https://www.amazon.com/Blazing-New-Wine-Hanukkah-Understanding-ebook/dp/B010MHNZMK/

• SANTA-TIZING: What’s wrong with Christmas and how to clean it up book => https://www.amazon.com/SANTA-TIZING-Whats-wrong-Christmas-clean/dp/1607911159/

*****

BRAZEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 3 (Oneness)

BRONZE PEGS – HELD TOGETHER

One way the church lines up with Yeshua (i.e., Jesus) is to function in the way he has designed the body to work.  All the pegs around the court and in the tabernacle itself were made of bronze (Exodus 27:19, 38:20). A peg is a small, pointed or tapered piece used to pin down or fasten things.  This means that the only things that held the wilderness tabernacle and its court together were these bronze pegs.

We, each member of the body, holds together the church through the perfect bond of unity love (Col 3:14), which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Each member of the Christ’s body is not only necessary, but valued. Christians must be in relationship with God and each other to properly function as His body.  “Let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly.] Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its function], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16 Amplified).

Some things to notice about pegs (i.e., Christians).  Pegs must work where they are placed.  The Master carpenter puts in all the pegs and He doesn’t misplace even one.  Do you think the construction of God’s spiritual house looks somewhat like a house being constructed here on earth?

Let’s explore the seven-fold unity of God’s house with a construction site twist. God’s Body, which is also His house, is currently ONE both in heaven and on earth.  “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-7):

[1]     One God and Father, the architect, contractor and owner of the church building, gives us the materials for the structure (Ephesians 1:17).  Father designs the house, takes all the risk, and wills it to be the best building ever through love.

[2]     One Lord, the chief cornerstone of the foundation (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6, Ephesians 2:20), is the supplier or middleman for the substance of the building. Jesus allows the building to exist and it is by Him it is made (1 Corinthians 8:6; John 1:3).

[3]    One Spirit, the mortar between and within the living stones, holds the building together (Ephesians 3:16; Ephesians 4:3). The Holy Spirit also seals the house against storms, weather and abuse (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30).

[4]    One Faith, helps the building grow continually into the full image of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). Faith is the substance of the entire house from the blueprints to the upgrades.  It is a continual refining process.

[5]    One Hope is the purpose of the building and its furnishings which are rare, priceless, yet sturdy (Ephesians 1:18; Romans 5:5).  Hope is the functionality of the building now and in the future.

[6]    One Baptism christens the building by naming it and each stone contained in the building (Rev 2:17).  The entire building, the church, has been dedicated in one awesome ceremony the cross.  Yet, the stones are continually dedicated by ceremony, baptized by water, by Spirit and by fire, one by one.  These living stones have been set apart for God’s use only.  They can’t be in two buildings at once (Matthew 6:24).

[7]    One Body is the living stone themselves (1 Peter 2:5), the individual believers making up the church universal.  These living stones are interlocking with different shapes, sizes, and colors (Ephesians 2:21; Ephesians 4:16) and are subject to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-24).  These stones don’t place themselves.  They do not have a choice whether they will be in front, behind, on the left, on the right, above or below.  Each stone is a miniature of the whole (Ephesians 1:23), yet fits perfectly in place as designed by the Father (Ephesians 2:22).

The church shouldn’t worry if things get a little messy. Construction site have boards here, nails there, etc.  We are only building materials anyway.  Why don’t we let the contractor worry about the mess?  It is His project anyway.

Coming at the bronze pegs from another angle we can see a powerful way the house of God, the Body, functions.  The Lord said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13). I believe that the inspired prayers of the saints have unified the Body throughout the ages: “pray at all times…with … perseverance for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).  Joints and ligaments are hidden parts of the body and are crucial to its stability, strength, and movement. Intercessors are hidden members of the body. Prayer stabilizes the church against the onslaught of the enemy, strengthens it through joy, and enables the body to move where the head wants to it to go.  The Father is just waiting for us to agree on earth with what has been proclaimed in heaven by Jesus through His Holy Spirit. The church will rise up in the power and authority of Christ when it is one in Christ.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE

This is the day when God is unearthing treasures previously kept in darkness and uncovering hidden wealth previously kept in secret places. “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze, and cut through the iron bars. I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places, in order that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name” (Isaiah 45:2-3). The Lord our God is unlocking the chambers of His vast treasure house, which speak of mysteries that have been in His heart for eternity. He’s opening the heights of the heavens and the depths of the earth.

One of these treasures of the deep is the understanding of the Biblical concepts associated with copper. Although my New American Standard Bible uses the word “bronze,” in Hebrew it actually means “copper.” My BRAZEN BELIEVERS study that will be published in parts (Check out Part 1 – HEAVEN’S WILL –http://wp.me/p2k1dQ-55) and PART 2 – SELFLESS LOVE – http://wp.me/p2k1dQ-5e ) is not an exhaustive study, but a tool meant to give you insight and draw you closer to the Lord. We will specifically focus on the picture copper reveals to us as it functioned in the Mosaic (Wilderness) Tabernacle, representing various parts of the Church.

It is significant that copper is the most conductive material on earth, next to silver, due to it having a free electron in its outer electron ring. Copper’s free electron exchanges freely with other conductive elements. In this study, we will see how Brazen Believers should naturally have a part of them that freely exchanges with other conductive materials — those made in God’s image — for that is what our heavenly Father does. We are to be wise, yet be as pure, transparent, vulnerable, sincere, and genuine as possible with others around us.

Technically, bronze is a metal alloy of copper and tin (sometimes other elements), which history records ancient man began using sometime between 4000-3000 BC. I am purposely using the word “bronze” to directly associate the Brazen Altar and Brazen Laver with Brazen Believers. I am also purposely using the word “brazen.” Brazen means to be made of brass, a harsh and loud sound like struck brass, or marked by contemptuous boldness.

Believe it or not, a study of the redemptive qualities of brazen is quite rewarding; but for now let’s just focus on the idea of contemptuous boldness. Contemptuous is a state of being despised and lacking respect. Christians are to be in the world, not of it; and Jesus said we will be hated, rejected and despised by the world, just as He was. The Bible also says “because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear)” (Ephesians 3:12 AMPL). Brazen Believers boldly approach God’s throne of grace. We need to be broken enough before God to speak the truth boldly and not participate with evil motives and intentions. Without brokenness (our flesh being in the heavenly brazier), boldness is simply pride.

Brazen Believers ultimately will only see themselves though Jesus (i.e., Yeshua). They will literally communicate with God, like Moses did, spirit to spirit — face to face.

~ Robin Main

www.sapphirethroneministries.com
www.santa-tizing.com
www.mysticmentoring.com

Written October 24, 1998 – Sapphire Throne Ministries – Robin Main. Copyrighted – If you are going to copy this, please copy it right by giving attributions to this source. Blessings!

*****

BRAVEN BELIEVERS ARTICLES:

[1] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 1 (2013-05-30) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-1-heavens-will/

[2] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 2 (Selfless Love) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-2-selfless-love/

[3] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 3 (Oneness) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/05/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-3-oneness/

[4] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 4 (Foundation, Service and Harvest) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-4-foundation-service-and-harvest/

*****

RESOURCES AVAILABLE:

• Ascension Manual book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188511

• Understanding the Order of Melchizedek: Complete Series book => https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Order-Melchizedek-Robin-Main/dp/0998598240/

• MEL GEL Study Guide book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188538/

• MEL GEL Study Guide: Volume 2 book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998598232/

• Set of Hebrew Living Letter Flash Cards => https://www.sapphirethroneministries.com/flashcards

• Blazing New Wine of Hanukkah: Bridal Restoration of DNA book => https://www.amazon.com/Blazing-New-Wine-Hanukkah-Understanding-ebook/dp/B010MHNZMK/

• SANTA-TIZING: What’s wrong with Christmas and how to clean it up book => https://www.amazon.com/SANTA-TIZING-Whats-wrong-Christmas-clean/dp/1607911159/ w

*****

BRAZEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 2 (Selfless Love)

First Corinthians 10:11 tells us: “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” What things? Passing through the Red Sea, eating manna, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. It’s what happened to the Israelites in the wilderness after they left Egypt, which is spoken of throughout the Old Testament, especially the first five books of the Bible. Yeshua (i.e., Jesus) and His disciples taught from the Old Testament and so did Paul. If it’s good enough for Yeshua, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Paul, it’s good enough for the followers of Yeshua too.

BRAZEN LAVER

The priests washed their hands and feet in the Temple Laver before they entered the tent where they met God. “You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base of bronze, for washing; and you shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.” (Exodus 30:18 NASB). Many Christian Bibles call the Temple Laver the Bronze Laver. This is a misnomer, for it was actually made of copper.

The copper laver was an open circular basin that was set upon a copper base. The Hebrew Sage Rashi[1] said it had two spouts at the bottom through which the water would flow[2] keeping it from becoming stagnant. In the Hebrew language the term “for washing” carries the idea that the laver was “for sanctification;”[3] therefore the actual purpose for the priests washing their hands and feet was for holiness and sanctity rather than cleanliness (Exod. 30:17-21).

The hands and feet represent the upper and lower extremities of the human body. By sanctifying their appendages, it was symbolic of the servants of the Lord’s total devotion to the service they were engaged in. It set apart their acts as righteous.

A most literal picture of this is presented to us in Exodus 30:19. The Hebrew Sage Or HaChaim said that the conjunction in the phrase “their hands together with their feet” (Exod. 30:19) indicated that the hands and feet must be washed at the same time.[4] Consequently, the right hand was placed on the priest’s right foot and washed together at the same time, followed by his left hand together with his left foot. Concentration and balance were key to accomplishing this hand-foot sanctification feat. Try it some time in your bathtub.  I had the kids in my Children’s Church class try to do this by simply standing next to their chairs. It was a lot more difficult than they thought and funny too. It’s quite the image of proper service to God requires all of a body’s faculties, and those faculties must be directed toward the same goal.[5]

The laver was not made of copper from the regular contributions. The laver was made exclusively from the brightly polished sheets of copper that women used as mirrors in Egypt (Exod. 38:8).[6] When the call went out for freewill contributions, devout women, who used to come to Moses’ tent to sit at his feet like Mary did with Jesus,[7] came with their copper mirrors and piled them up at Moses’ dwelling, which was the God’s dwelling place prior to the tent of meeting being built (Exod. 33:7). Moses was said to be reluctant to accept such gifts for the tabernacle due to his initial thinking that the mirrors had been used to incite lust.

The story goes that God told Moses that he was wrong, because these very mirrors had been instrumental in saving the nation. In Egypt, when the men came home exhausted every night from heavy labors, their wives used these mirrors to get all dolled up to entice their husbands to continue normal martial relations. Thanks to these brightly, polished copper mirrors, legions of Jewish children were born. God not only told Moses to accept these precious mirrors, but they were to be used exclusively to fabricate the laver. The Bible doesn’t give the specific size of the laver due to that fact that every single mirror had to go into fashioning it, no matter how big it would become – so sacred were those mirrors. [8]^{, [9]} Of note, these devout women could no longer gaze upon themselves with any vanity, because they had to fix their eyes upon the laver to see themselves. The laver represents bridal lovers fixing their eyes upon the Author and Perfecter of their faith (Heb. 12:2).

The extreme reach of the body of Christ should be set apart for a sacred purpose. The farthest boundary of the One New Man in Christ should be free from sin due to our special tie (i.e. connected relationship) with Yeshua. The word “tie” is from a Greek verb, which means “to bind.” It has many nuances. We can think of the concept of being restrained by authority, influence, agreement, or obligation. We can also think of a special tie that binds people together romantically. A marital tie binds two people together physically, mentally, and spiritually.

If our lives yield to the Lord of Love and His sacred purposes, then we will not be tied hand and foot to be thrown out of the wedding feast (Matt. 22:1-13). I sought My Love about what it means that one of his friends would be cast outside for not having the proper clothing, and I believe that He told me: Once the friend saw the glory of the wedding feast, “outside” the feast would appear as darkness for he or she would weep at glimpsing, yet not being able to partake of the marriage feast. It is noteworthy that this place outside the wedding feast is also assigned to hypocrites – where people’s actions don’t line up with their words (Matt. 24:51).

SELFLESS LOVE

The priests of old washing their hands and feet in the laver before entering the tent of meeting represents purity of what they did and where they went — obedience. Obedience in our actions is a symptom of the condition of our hearts. God cleans our hearts through confession of sin. “If we confess our sins, then He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). It is interesting to note that the Brazen Laver in Exodus was put between the tent of meeting and the bronze altar. We must first accept that Yeshua died for our sins before we can request to be cleaned up (Acts 22:16; 1 Cor 6:11).

In fact, our cleanliness, our right standing before God, is that Father God sees Yeshua not us. Yeshua basically runs interference for us. He is our covering before Father to the dismay of the Accuser. Believers have their own part to play.  Remember there needs to be relationship, or some say agreement, between heaven and earth, God and man.  Looking at 2 Chronicles 7:14 we see that God’s people have requirements for cleansing (i.e. healing). “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

First, believers are to admit the truth, which immediately leads to humble position. “I fall short. I’ve sinned. I can’t do it on my own.” C. S. Lewis is quoted to have said: Pride is the national religion of hell. Spirit inspired prayer will follow as a natural reaction to godly humility. Second, our spirit-led prayer results in greater intimacy with God. God says in Matthew 7:7 that if you continually seek Me, you will find Me. Third, believers are not just supposed to confess their sin; they are called to turn from their sin in repentance. This is not just an outward turning from sin, but a conscious shift from self to God.  Once these three conditions are met, God then hears the people’s prayer request(s) and cleanses the land from sin. Land can either be the physical ground or people.

Please stick with me as I re-iterate probably the most significant concept connected to the Brazen Laver. In the Old Testament, God gives us a picture in how the Mosaic purification vessel (i.e., laver) was made. “Moreover, he made the laver of bronze with its base of bronze, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting” (Exodus 38:8).  These women served at the point of entry into the tabernacle where there was a screen separating those who could come into the tabernacle from those who could not. The screen’s material was hung upon five pillars.  Five has the spiritual meaning of grace. We can only come into God’s tabernacle by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I believe the mirrors of the serving women represent earthly vanity. They could no longer look at themselves in their own mirrors. These women could no longer look at the temporal, material things when their copper mirrors were melted. They had to look at the laver to see themselves. These women had to look into the mirror of truth, Yeshua, which is a picture of Him purifying them through His shed blood. Their ability to look at self was taken away. They died to self, which is true humility.

All believers are called to die daily to self through the work of the Holy Spirit to be instruments of God. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).

One other thing I’d like to zero in on is that these were serving women. These women serving at the doorway of the tent of meeting helped people to enter in and meet God.  We enter in and meet God through Yeshua — the Way, the Truth and the Life. We are all called to serve God by loving our fellow man and by pointing them to the cross. Christian service is always initiated by divine love, which overflows from our hearts when we commune with the Lord.  In fact, the only distinguishing characteristic Yeshua gave His disciples which set them apart is “all men shall know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

I believe the first New Testament saints to personify servanthood through love were the women who followed and ministered to Yeshua. Service based on divine love was the hallmark of these godly women. They waited on Yeshua, and I believe, his disciples at every turn during His three years of ministry.  These women had seen and experienced Yeshua’s deliverance from evil spirits and sicknesses. Yeshua knew/knows love is an action as well as a wonderful feeling.  In fact, the Hebrew Word picture for love ahav tells us that love is what the Father’s heart revealed.[10]

We, as Christians, are bondservants of Christ called to serve God and His people. I have yet to find in Scripture where Jesus asked these women for anything.  Do you think they intuitively knew Jesus’ needs and desires?  I do.  Do you think they studied his likes and dislikes?  I do.  I stumbled upon Gene Edward’s book The Divine Romance after I got this picture of service based upon divine love.  Listen to the heart of our Father through Edward’s eloquent words:

    “About twenty men and four women accompanied wherever he traveled. From the day of her deliverance, she did not ask, she simply became part of that little band of followers.  Wherever he went, she went, and poured out her whole love and her whole life on him. In the earliest hours of the morning she could be found preparing his breakfast.  When he sat down to teach, she was there, at his feet.  When he departed, she departed with him. When those twenty men asked too much of him, she quietly, firmly, protested. She washed his feet, served his meals, cared for his clothes, placed fruit beside his bed in the evening.  He who said of himself, “I am the living water,” always had cool water to drink – brought by her hands. When nights were cold, she made sure the house where he was guested would be warm.  In the hot, blistering sun of summer, she walked with the little band of followers, village to village, city to city – always following him.

    Why such devotion?

    Because she adored him.  Fervently, single-mindedly, she loved him. She was totally enamored, completely enraptured, and utterly in love with her Lord and Master. She was embarrassingly, unembarrassed about the matter.

    The others eventually grew used to the sight of her single-minded adoration and her uninhibited out-pouring of affection, which continued unceasingly from dawn to the last  light of night.

    They even learned from her. Oh, they all professed a love for him that was equal to hers.  But they spoke of overthrowing Rome, of abolishing the present Hebrew state, of setting up a spectacular throne, of avenging the vicious rumors that seemed always to be spread about concerning the Lord.  They dreamed of wielding both political and spiritual power, of casting out demons, of throwing Caesar into a dungeon and Satan into a burning pit.  They professed love, but talked power and fame.  Little by little they changed. As months turned to years, they spoke less of conquest and got down to the business of loving their God.

    The most amazing thing of all was this: He responded. He poured out love in return.  It seemed a little odd, the Son of God, caring, affectionate, loving, and returning love … so profoundly, so totally.  That God might love, with such ardor, was simply something that had never occurred to them.  Nor could they quite understand why they found it so difficult to express love toward him.  Her mother before her had failed at this same simple matter for centuries, but now, before all eyes, this simple girl was unfolding the highest order of the universe.  To love her God.

    Watching her, they learned. For though she expressed her love in service and care, she expressed her love more in eyes, in heart, in soul, and in the fervor and passion of her whole being.  No abstraction, this love.  An unnerving thing this.  Unwavering, day after day, with total abandon loving him.  You saw it in her eyes, in her kneeling, in moments of praise and rejoicing, and when she looked into his face – which was almost always.[11]

This incredible woman deeply moved Yeshua to weep right before He rose her brother Lazarus from the dead (John 11: 32-35). Her name was Mary Magdalene. Her place was at Jesus’ feet. It is written that she chose the better part by sitting at Yeshua’s feet and listening attentively to every word that proceeded from His mouth (Luke 10:38-42).  There is some controversy over who Mary Magdalene actually was. I believe that she was the woman with a past where Scripture testifies that Jesus cast out seven demons from her (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9), but I am open to correction, if proven otherwise. The Pharisees recognized her as an immoral woman (a brazen hussy), but Jesus saw her as a Brazen Believer after he had saved, healed and delivered her out of darkness into God’s glorious light.

Remember that I discussed the redemptive qualities of “brazen,” which includes contemptuous boldness — a state of being despised but being bold anyway. Can you imagine being publicly known as a harlot and being so bold as to enter a man’s house that had the authority to stone you to death? Why would she risk it? Only one thing could make her throw caution to the wind. Her beloved Savior and Deliverer, Yeshua, was in that Pharisee’s house. But, so were a houseful of legalistic men, who were probably among those who used and abused her. Now kick it up a notch due to the self-righteous, disapproving accusations over her “wasting” a year’s wages that could have gone to the poor when she poured out the expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. She was definitely despised by this company of Pharisees, after all, they were the ones “worthy” of Jesus’ time and attention. If wetting Jesus’ feet with tears, wiping them with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with expensive perfume isn’t bold in the face of a bunch of the eyes full of daggers, I don’t know what is!

The quintessential example of a Brazen Believer is Mary Magdalene. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that she would be known forever as the one who anointed Him for His burial (John 12:7) as well as being the one who loved much because she had been forgiven much (Luke 7:40-43).

Mary Magdalene’s unwavering devotion led her to closely follow Jesus through His life, death, burial and resurrection. Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother and the Apostle John were the first to typify “the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Rev 14:4). For example: [1] Mary Magdalene was among the small group to personally experience the agony, and thus, share in Jesus’ crucifixion (Matt 27:56). [2] Having moved Jesus to tears, it was Mary Magdalene turn to be deeply moved to weep as she watch Jesus’ dead body be placed in Joseph of Arimathen’s tomb (Matt 27:57-61). [3] Her and “the other Mary” were the first to return after Yeshua’s burial with the purpose of taking care of His body (Matt 28:1-10) to only witness the glorious appearance of an angel who rolled away the stone. While the guards shook with fear and became like dead men, the two Marys received an angelic message: “Do not be afraid; for I know you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:56). All of this is amazing, but take another gigantic leap because this devoted heart — Brazen Believer — was the first person to see Jesus alive after His resurrection (Mark 16:9). Scripture tells us that she clung to Jesus when she saw Him (John 20:17). Can you imagine?!

The women following Jesus were so in love with their Lord and Savior that their acts of service were second nature.  Yeshua walked with the anointing of the Spirit on earth.  I feel that these women through their love and devotion to Christ tapped into that same Spirit to meet every need and desire prompted of God.  It seemed that the only other group besides the disciples, which were consistently closest to Jesus on earth, was the women who followed Him. These women were consistently meeting the needs and desires for all who Yeshua put on their hearts.  Their hearts overflowed with so much love for Jesus that they wanted and yearned to do anything and everything He asked or simply desired.

Before we move on, let’s re-emphasize that the Brazen Altar and Laver speaks of those made in God’s image keeping the priority of divine intimacy over and above anything else. Yes. We are called to do good works. In fact, if we do what Jesus did, we glorify the Father on earth by accomplishing the work that He gives us to do (John 17:4). This being said, please remember that Jesus did nothing unless He was given orders from His heavenly headquarters first (John 5:19). Even Jesus sequestered Himself away from the crowds and His friends to spend one-on-one time with His heavenly Father to see what He was doing.

We must take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23-25) to die to our own self-will in order that we can operate in heaven’s flawless will. There is a place where we will perfectly align with the flow of His extravagant Spirit as well as His faithful Word to such a degree that we will completely abide in Christ where the love of God is truly perfected within God’s Kingdom that’s within you and I. This is how Yeshua made His Father’s name known to men (John 17:6), and it’s something we need to emulate.

The Brazen Altar and the Brazen Laver were Old Testament pictures of the New Testament fulfillment of Jesus.  While here on earth, Yeshua was 100% God and 100% man. Yeshua walking the earth in bodily form is the perfect picture of heaven and earth agreeing to accomplish all that the Father had sent him to do. The earthly body needs to line up with its head — the Messiah. The Greek word for head is kephale meaning that from which everything proceeds.

~ Robin Main

www.sapphirethroneministries.com
www.santa-tizing.com
www.mysticmentoring.com

Written October 24, 1998 – Sapphire Throne Ministries – Robin Main. Copyrighted – If you are going to copy this, please copy it right by giving attributions to this source. Blessings!

*****

BRAVEN BELIEVERS ARTICLES:

[1] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 1 (2013-05-30) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-1-heavens-will/

[2] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 2 (Selfless Love) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-2-selfless-love/

[3] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 3 (Oneness) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/05/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-3-oneness/

[4] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 4 (Foundation, Service and Harvest) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-4-foundation-service-and-harvest/

*****

RESOURCES AVAILABLE:

• Ascension Manual book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188511

• Understanding the Order of Melchizedek: Complete Series book => https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Order-Melchizedek-Robin-Main/dp/0998598240/

• MEL GEL Study Guide book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188538/

• MEL GEL Study Guide: Volume 2 book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998598232/

• Set of Hebrew Living Letter Flash Cards => https://www.sapphirethroneministries.com/flashcards

• Blazing New Wine of Hanukkah: Bridal Restoration of DNA book => https://www.amazon.com/Blazing-New-Wine-Hanukkah-Understanding-ebook/dp/B010MHNZMK/

• SANTA-TIZING: What’s wrong with Christmas and how to clean it up book => https://www.amazon.com/SANTA-TIZING-Whats-wrong-Christmas-clean/dp/1607911159/ w

*****

---

[1] Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki, c. 1040-1105).

[2] Scherman, The Chumash, 486.

[3] Harris, Harris, Archer, and Waltke; Theological Word book of the Old Testament: “2150 רָחַץ (rāḥaṣ) wash. With Times New Roman the transliteration might be more like: rachats. Derivatives 2150a רַחַץ (raḥaṣ) washing (Ps 60:10; 108:10). 2150b רַחצָה (raḥṣâ) washing (Song 4:2; 6:6). The initial occurrence is Gen 18:4, with over forty-eight occurrences in the Pentateuch, twenty-six in Lev. Among the parts of the body ritually rinsed were: the face (Gen 43:31); the hands (Ex 30:19, 21); the body (Lev 17:16); the feet (Gen 18:4ff). In the Levitical rituals the flesh of sacrificial animals was washed (Lev 1:9 et al.). This washing would normally take a great deal of water and perhaps suggests that Solomon’s great brazen sea was used as a reservoir for such water as well as for other rituals. Several interesting uses of the term appear in Song of Solomon giving details on Israelite cosmetology. The root rāḥaṣ describes the ritual foot washing (5:3) and an eye washing with milk (5:12). A similar usage of washing for romantic appeal appears in Ruth 3:3. But the much more serious use of the root is reserved for the notion of its representing the cleansing from sin (Isa 1:16; 4:4). It is this meaning which is carried throughout Ezek. (16:4, 9; 23:40) and on into the nt in the baptism of John and of Jesus. The nt has a number of references to the ot practices (Jon 2:6; Mt 15:2; Heb 9:10 etc.)”

[4] Scherman, The Chumash, 487: “Together with their feet. The conjunction ta, indicates that the hands and feet must be washed at the same time (Or HaChaim). Consequently, the Kohen places his right hand on his right foot and washes them, and then follows the same procedure with his left hand and foot (Rashi from Zevachim 19b). ”

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid., 527

[7] They prayed there and listened to the teachings of God.

[8] Scherman, The Chumash, From the mirrors of legions. 527.

[9] Exodus 38:30-31 lists the items made from copper from the regular freewill contribution: sockets of the entrance to the tent of meeting, the altar, the sockets of the courtyard all around, the sockets of the gate of the courtyard, all the pegs of the tabernacle, and all the pegs of the courtyard, all around. The laver is NOT included in this list; therefore it was not made with copper from the regular contributions but “from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting” (Exod. 38:8).

[10] Hebrew Word Pictures How does the Hebrew Alphabet Reveal Prophetic Truths  by Frank T. Seekins, p. 14

[11] Excerpt from The Divine Romance  by Gene Edwards

BRAZEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 1 (Heaven’s Will)

 

HEAVEN MEETS EARTH

Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done. Brazen believers are a place where heaven meets earth. Symbolically, we can catch a glimpse of this reality in the brazen or bronze (i.e., copper) items that were in the Mosaic tabernacle.

All the brazen furnishings symbolize the place where heaven meets earth.  God meets man. Think about the earth being God’s footstool (Isaiah 66:1), and when the apostle John saw Jesus in the Spirit on the Lord’s day “His feet were like burnished bronze” (Rev 1:15). The Church is Jesus’ Body and that Body has its feet bound “with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). When we walk through our daily lives and reflect the radiance of God’s glory (the character of Jesus), God touches the earthly realm through us.

In the Greek, “bronze” in the burnished bronze feet of Jesus’ is the word chalkolibanon, which is a compound word made up of chalkos and libanos. From chalkos we get the idea of the hollowing out of a vessel for this glowing metal was chiefly used for that purpose. Its primary root word is chasma, which means to lower into a void or a gaping chasm. Jesus bridged the gulf between heaven and earth (God and man) “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him” (John 3:17). As we let Jesus have His way in our lives by working out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12-13), our lives are cleansed so we may pour out His presence, to a lost and dying world “for in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 NIV). Through Christ in you the hope of glory (Col 1:27), heaven touches earth.

The word libanos means the incense tree (i.e., frankincense), and by implication the incense itself. Revelation 5:8 says that the incense in the golden bowls are “the prayers of the saints” and much incense was given to an angel at the altar so he could “add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne” (Rev 8:3-4). I believe this is a picture of the mixing of things that originated on earth with those originating in heaven — prayer.

Frankincense’s primary root means to become white, which additionally communicates the idea of purity. Incense is the material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned. It’s a pleasing scent to God and it causes passion or emotion to become aroused. Another word for a pleasing fragrance is “savor.” The Hebrew verb for savor is ruach. It’s the word for “Spirit,” as in the Holy Spirit. It means to blow or breathe, to smell, and figuratively, it means to joyfully anticipate. Jesus “breathed on” his disciples, “and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). This makes sense for the primary verb for incense is thuo meaning to rush (breathe hard, blow, smoke), by implication it means to sacrifice by fire. “They were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit …” (Acts 2:1-4).

What a picture! Yeshua’s [1] glowing bronze feet have a dual meaning in this context:

[1] Jesus personally coming to earth for the purpose of bridging the gap between God and man, not only the first time, but also today through you and I.  Jesus tells His followers that the Kingdom of God is near. It is within you (Matt 10:7; Luke 10:9,11).

[2] The purified, Holy Spirit inspired groans and prayers of the saints (Rom 8:26-27; Eph 6:18). These are two places where heaven touches earth.

In April of 1998,[2] Cindy Jacobs mentioned that she believed that there is one body, one church in heaven and earth. I agree. Eternal life for believers necessitates that the body of Christ be one, as Jesus and the Father is one. Christ’s body, the church, is united in heaven and on earth. One of the prevalent pictures I received while studying “bronze” in Scripture was unity. The church is already united in the heavenly realm; therefore, what remains is unity here on earth.  I believe we will find some of the keys to uniting the earthly church with the heavenly one by looking at copper in the Mosaic tabernacle.

BRAZEN ALTAR – HEAVEN’S WILL

Yeshua, the perfect propitiation for sin, is mankind’s bridge to God. All furnishings in the tabernacle (i.e., tent of meeting) are different pictures of Jesus’ ministry on earth. The bronze furnishings — the Brazen Altar and Brazen Laver — are no exceptions. Jesus’ blood atones and washes away the sins of the world. Objectively, once for all, and subjectively, as you apply it to your life when you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe God raised Him from the dead (Rom 10:9-10).

Our New Testament brazen altars are our hearts. That was true of the Old Testament Brazen Altar also. The sacrifices were meant to point man to God, to rededicate their hearts to God. Unfortunately, the sacrifices (things that were seen) became the focus instead of the point to the exercise – relationship with the living God. God knows we must guard our hearts in Christ Jesus to make relationship with God a reality. Psalm 24:3-4 tells us that only those who have clean hands and a pure heart can have relationship with the Lord.

The one called the “father to all who believe” had a very close personal relationship with the Lord. Abraham was 137 years old when his faith was tested when God asked him to take his dearly loved son up Mount Moriah and offer him as a living sacrifice. It gives us a new perspective on Isaac’s willingness when we understand that he was 36 years old at the time. It is at the mountain of God’s choice that Abraham was directed to offer Isaac as a burnt offering.

The Word of God tells us of at least three virtues in our lives that have eternal substance: faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).When God tested Abraham, He was accessing Abraham’s character to see if these and other eternal qualities abided in him. Just as Abraham’s walk was tested to see if it matched his talk, so will ours.

To comprehend why God asked Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, we need to delve into the ancient Hebrew understanding of burnt offerings provided for us in the first chapter of the book of Leviticus. The book opens with the first revelation in the new Tabernacle, which had been built with their own contributions as a place where God’s shekinah glory (i.e., His dwelling presence) would rest among His people. They were made aware of their responsibility of maintaining a high level of holiness.

By the way, no other book in the Bible is so full of divine utterance as the book of Leviticus. Moreover, the Hebrew canon for the book we call Leviticus has the divine title “HE CALLED.” For the people in Moses’ day, its directions left nothing to the imagination. God was very specific in how He wanted/wants to be worshipfully approached. The content of Leviticus expresses the divine will of our heavenly Father for those who desires to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).

That Leviticus is the third book of the Bible speaks of it being stamped with completeness. For instance, the phrase “I AM Jehovah” occurs 21 times in the entire book, which emphasizes that Leviticus is marked with completeness, but it additionally proclaims that within Leviticus are keys to the complete plan of God for spiritual perfection. There’s a holy, awesomeness that accompanies His name Jehovah, for it’s the ineffable name of God – He’s incapable of being expressed in words (i.e., indescribable).

Unfortunately, most Christians have dismissed, minimized or ignored this very important slice of the word that endures forever. It’s been an enigma to most, if not all, of us. We are confused because we no longer do temple sacrifices. Or do we? This is the day where devout hearts need to sit up and take notice of this unique book that almost wholly consists of the words of Jehovah, where “HE CALLED” us to worship Him according to His will and ways. This is the day when we will worship God His way.

The rest of this Brazen Altar section endeavors to unseal Leviticus chapter 1 for Christians and examines what is required when anyone wants to bring a worshipful offering to the Lord. First, let’s note that the only name of God used in connection with offerings is Adonai. This name represents His attribute of mercy. The Hebraic root of the word “offering” means to come near. As mentioned previously, any type of offering is meant to bring oneself closer to God. Additionally, the Hebrew word for “burnt” is olah, which literally means going up; therefore, we can see that a burnt offering is brought by a person who wants to go up and draw near to God.

When a person sincerely offers themselves or anything they dearly love – especially their own way — to the Lord for the purpose of drawing close, they spiritually go up to meet with the God of mercy personally to His throne of grace. “This is what the LORD says, ‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings … I will bring him near and he will come close to me, for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?’ ” (Jeremiah 30:18; 21 NIV).

The burnt offering is also called by another name — the elevation offering, As its name suggests, it raises one’s spiritual level. The elevation offering was brought by everyone who went up to Jerusalem for the three pilgrimage feasts of the Lord (required by everyone who was part of God’s holy nation). The Hebrew prophets spoke that in the end times, all the nations will be coming to Jerusalem — going up physically and/or spiritually and they will take part in building the temple. Don’t forget that you are meant to be God’s dwelling place.

The elevation offering (i.e., burnt offering) in the Old Testament days was considered to be superior to all others, because it was a voluntary sacrifice and it was offered in its entirety. The word “unblemished” in Leviticus 1:3 symbolizes a person coming close to God with nothing missing. All one’s faculties are wholly engaged. When a person brought his burnt offering to the priests (i.e., Kohanim), he was required to lean his hand on the head of his sacrifice. Actually, one had to literally lay both hands on the animal’s head and then confess his sin or shortcoming. Leaning both hands on one’s sacrifice alludes to leaning on the Lord with your entire strength. Loving God with all your strength is synonymous with loving God vehemently, wholly, exceedingly, diligently, utterly. It is the highest form of love and is equated to one’s resources spent according to the perfect will of God… literally being spent on Him.

The burnt offering was the very first service performed by Aaron’s descendants — the Kohanim — in God’s wilderness tabernacle.  Anyone could slaughter an animal for sacrifice, but it took the descendants of the High Priest to receive the shed blood and transport it to the Brazen Altar. It’s interesting that even though there was a heavenly fire always on the altar, the Kohanim were commanded to add an earthly fire. Once the Kohanim arranged all the cut up parts on the fire, they tended the fire until the sacrifice was totally consumed. As a side, the smoke that rises up to God from the burnt offering is a symbol of the owner’s striving, and the Lord tells us that it pleases Him (Leviticus 1:9).

In our day of grace, God’s people, who become a royal priesthood through their reception of the gift of the shed blood of the Lamb, receive forgiveness for their shortcomings once they sincerely confess their sin. We bypass animal sacrifices because Jesus Christ (Yeshua ha Mashiach) offered up the perfect sacrifice of His earthly body once for all. Yeshua became our burnt offering on the cross, and Jesus’ Bride will be like Him. The spiritual principle behind the burnt offering that remains true even today is “Behold, I have come to do Thy will” (Psalms 40:7-8; Hebrews 10:7). It’s all about doing heaven’s will via sacrificing your own will on God’s altar of purification.

The fulfillment of the picture of the burnt offering in our day according to the fresh dispensation we are now operating under – “summing up of all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10) – is the baptism of fire that the Bride of Christ will come through to literally become the Lord’s pure and spotless Bride. God’s baptism of fire will burn off anything that is not of Him or in Him. Be encouraged, because He knows the way each one of us takes, and we will come forth as gold (Job 23:10).  Christ’s Bride will live and move in His divine will – the perfect will of heaven on earth. She will act as Jesus did. “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments… but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:3,5-6).

Classically, the Brazen Altar has symbolized divine judgment. Before you freak out, please understand that the Hebrew word for “judge” is dan, and its pictograph reveals that the judge is the door of life – Jesus (i.e., Yeshua). Our Great High Priest is the One who sympathizes with our weaknesses and encourages us to draw near with confidence to His throne of grace so we can receive mercy and find grace to help in a time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Most Christians rightfully and whole-heartedly tout this truth, but please let’s quit cheapening His glorious grace. You’ve seen it. I’ve done it. A person sins over and over again with the supposed safety net that we know God will forgive us. I believe that this mentality is pervasive throughout Christianity. So what should we do with this Scripture? “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy in the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:26-29). God actually handles unintentional sin differently than willful sin.

All divine judgment, while we live on earth, is ultimately meant for the purpose of “I am” making us one. Psalms 19 tells us that the “judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether … more desirable than gold … sweeter also than honey … by them Thy servant is warned.” The only way we can discern some of our “hidden faults” and “presumptuous sins” (Psalms 19:12-13) is to let the living and active word of God rightly divide what is soul and what is spirit (Hebrews 4:12). The purifying effects of being washed by the water of the word (Ephesians 5:26) allows us to be an exact re-presentation of the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).

Don’t forget that we are not alone — the Spirit of the Living God divinely assists us in our path to perfection. The way we become perfected into the image of One – His very image – is to let the fear of the Lord and the divine judgments of His Word have their way in each one of us. By the way, the fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10), but it also allows us to love what he loves and hate what He hates. Remember that it’s a good and faithful son that accepts His Father’s discipline, because he knows that his daddy loves him and is helping him to be the best person that he can be (Deuteronomy 8:56; Romans 8:14). Also, it is the sons of God that are led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14), and they inherit God’s Kingdom (Galatians 4:7).

The Baptism of Fire (Matthew 3:11) being released upon the earth in our day is a quantum leap above and beyond what we have known for the past 1,700 years. Get ready folks because people will actually manifest being “holy as He is holy” (1 Peter 1:16; Leviticus 11:44). By the way, when God says, “You shall be holy, for I am holy,” it’s not a suggestion but an exhortation (an actual command).  Even though authentic holiness has been rare, it will be a reality of those who will do the “greater works” (John 14:12). Bridal lovers of God will surrender their ways for His. They will recognize practices and beliefs that the Church has sanctioned as “holy,” which are not. These lovers of the Spirit and Truth will recognize what actually pleases Adonai, and then they adjust accordingly, come what may. The Word of God together with the Holy Spirit will be our guide, which is at least a partial realization of the picture that the fire that consumes the burnt offering is first and foremost a heavenly fire. Our voluntary offering to give up our own (earthly) desires and practices will combine with heaven’s fiery perfect will. Like the smoke that rises up from any burnt offering, our total surrender to the All-Consuming Fire will be one of our most pleasing sacrifices as well as one of our most satisfying services.

To be continued…

Written – October 24, 1998. Revision #1 – November 17, 2001. Revision #2 – December 30, 2002. Revision #3 – April 23, 2003. Revision #4 – December 9, 2010. Revision #5 –  May 29, 2013.

 All Scriptures are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise denoted.

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Author’s Note

This is the day when God is unearthing treasures previously kept in darkness and uncovering hidden wealth previously kept in secret places. “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze, and cut through the iron bars. I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places, in order that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name” (Isaiah 45:2-3). The Lord our God is unlocking the chambers of His vast treasure house, which speak of mysteries that have been in His heart for eternity. He’s opening the heights of the heavens and the depths of the earth.

One of these treasures of the deep is the understanding of the Biblical concepts associated with copper. Although my New American Standard Bible uses the word “bronze,” in Hebrew it actually means copper. This pamphlet is not an exhaustive study, but a tool meant to give you insight and draw you closer to the Lord. We will specifically focus on the picture copper reveals to us as it functioned in the Mosaic (Wilderness) Tabernacle, representing various parts of the Church.

It is significant that copper is the most conductive material on earth next to silver due to it having a free electron in its outer electron ring. Copper’s free electron exchanges freely with other conductive elements. In this study, we will see how Brazen Believers should naturally have a part of them that freely exchanges with other conductive materials — those made in God’s image — for that is what our heavenly Father does. We are to be wise, yet be as pure, transparent, vulnerable, sincere, and genuine as possible with others around us.

Technically, bronze is a metal alloy of copper and tin (sometimes other elements), which history records ancient man began using sometime between 4000-3000 BC. I am purposely using the word “bronze” to directly associate the Brazen Altar and Brazen Laver with Brazen Believers. I am also purposely using the word “brazen.” Brazen means to be made of brass, a harsh and loud sound like struck brass, or marked by contemptuous boldness. Believe it or not, a study of the redemptive qualities of brazen is quite rewarding; but for now let’s just focus on the idea of contemptuous boldness. Contemptuous is a state of being despised and lacking respect. Christians are to be in the world, not of it; and Jesus said we will be hated, rejected and despised by the world, just as He was. The Bible also says “because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God  with freedom and without fear)” (Ephesians 3:12 AMPL). Brazen Believers boldly approach God’s throne of grace. We need to be broken enough before God to speak the truth boldly and not participate with evil motives and intentions. Without brokenness (our flesh being in the heavenly brazier), boldness is simply pride.

Brazen Believers ultimately will only see themselves though Jesus. They will literally communicate with God, like Moses did, spirit to spirit  — face to face.

~ Robin Main

www.sapphirethroneministries.com
www.santa-tizing.com
www.mysticmentoring.com

Written October 24, 1998  – Sapphire Throne Ministries – Robin Main. Copyrighted – If you are going to copy this, please copy it right by giving attributions to this source. Blessings!

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BRAVEN BELIEVERS ARTICLES:

[1] BRVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 1 (2013-05-30) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-1-heavens-will/

[2] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 2 (Selfless Love) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-2-selfless-love/

[3] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 3 (Oneness) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/05/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-3-oneness/

[4] BRAVEN BELIEVERS – Heaven Meets Earth – Part 4 (Foundation, Service and Harvest) => https://sapphirethroneministries.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/brazen-believers-heaven-meets-earth-part-4-foundation-service-and-harvest/

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RESOURCES AVAILABLE:
.
• Ascension Manual book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188511

• Understanding the Order of Melchizedek: Complete Series book => https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Order-Melchizedek-Robin-Main/dp/0998598240/

• MEL GEL Study Guide book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188538/

• MEL GEL Study Guide: Volume 2 book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998598232/

• Set of Hebrew Living Letter Flash Cards => https://www.sapphirethroneministries.com/flashcards

• Blazing New Wine of Hanukkah: Bridal Restoration of DNA book => https://www.amazon.com/Blazing-New-Wine-Hanukkah-Understanding-ebook/dp/B010MHNZMK/

• SANTA-TIZING: What’s wrong with Christmas and how to clean it up book => https://www.amazon.com/SANTA-TIZING-Whats-wrong-Christmas-clean/dp/1607911159/ w

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[1] Yeshua is Jesus’ Aramaic/Hebrew name, which He was literally called when He walked the earth. It’s a shortened form of Yehoshua, which means “salvation” or “the Lord saves.”

[2] Prayer & Spiritual Warfare Conference, Colorado Springs CO, April 1998

[3] Hebrew Word Pictures: How does the Hebrew Alphabet Reveal Prophetic Truths  by Frank T. Seekins, p. 14

[4] Excerpt from The Divine Romance  by Gene Edwards