Look at the High Priest as he prepares to
enter the Holiest of Holies, into the very presence of God. He has prepared himself
very carefully for this occasion, making sure that the essential parts of his
dress and supply are all in order. There are several things we could speak about
in connection with this, but the thing we are concerned about in this message
is the three sets of seals on his robe and headpiece.
God has given us a picture here, in Old Testament types and shadows, of the reality
of the three glorious experiences in God which prepare us for entry into His Presence
in truth and experience. Other pictures of these three experiences are found in
the three annual feasts of Israel, Passover-Pentecost-Tabernacles .. . and also
in the three gates or veils in the Tabernacle, which veils must be passed through
on the way to the Holiest Place. He has not left us in darkness concerning His
purposes in our lives, but His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our
pathway. Now, our feet and pathway speak of our walk in the Spirit and our actual
experiences in God. So those who have eyes to see can find in His Word the perfect
order for their lives, and see clearly the pathway they are to follow in this
pilgrim journey, and the land of promise (or experiences in God) through which
their feet shall trod. Praise God's great and wonderful Name! THE BEAUTIFUL
BREASTPLATE
Now, if you will turn in your Bible to Exodus 28th chapter
and verses 15-30, you will read the description God is giving Moses on how to
make the breastplate that covers the heart of the High Priest. Notice in verse
15, the colors that are in it ... gold, blue, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
These are some of the very same colors that are in the Beautiful Veil that covers
the Holiest of All, and they speak of the NATURE of our Lord Jesus. Since this
is not our message today, we will hurry on. Also, we will not speak about the
twelve different kinds of stones in this breastplate, mostly due to our lack of
knowledge on that subject. Oh, beloved, there is so much we do not yet know about
the wondrous works of God! So much to learn, and thank God there is an anointing
which shall teach us all things! Hallelujah!
Much is also said about
the two rings and chains of gold, but again we must hurry past and save this truth
to be dealt with at a later time. But let us read verse 29: "AND AARON SHALL BEAR
THE NAMES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN THE BREASTPLATE OF JUDGMENT UPON HIS HEART,
WHEN HE GOETH IN UNTO THE HOLY PLACE, FOR A MEMORIAL BEFORE THE LORD CONTINUALLY
." And notice in verse 21 that the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were engraved
in the twelve stones. The word "like" is in italics and is not in the original,
so it was actually the engraving oil ' a signet, or seal. Both words, seal and
signet, come from the same Hebrew word "CHOWTHAM," so there was actually a sealing
in this breastplate that covered the heart. Listen to this amazing scripture found
in the Song of Solomon, chapter 8, verse 6: "SET ME AS A SEAL UPON THINE HEART,
AS A SEAL UPON THINE ARM:" This is the same word as the "signet" that was to be
engraved in the stones that covered the heart, as well as the stones upon the
arms or shoulders of the High Priest.
IT COVERS THE HEART
Here is
the clue that unfolds the mystery of this breastplate and gives us the picture
of the wonderful experience in store for those who will accept the reality found
in Christ Jesus. Notice that the purpose of this breastplate was to cover the
heart. Why? Why must the heart of man be sealed? Look in Matthew 15-19 "FOR OUT
OF THE HEART PROCEED EVIL THOUGHTS MURDERS, ADULTERIES, FORNICATION, THEFTS, FALSE
WITNESS, BLASPHEMIES: "We discover in Galatians 5:19-21 that these things are
the works of the flesh. So when the heart is sealed, the works of the flesh are
cut off. Jn the Old Testament the cutting away of the flesh was known as circumcision.
Romans 4:11 tells us why Abraham received this seal: "AND HE (ABRAHAM) RECEIVED
THE SIGN OF CIRCUMCISION, A SEAL OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE FAITH WHICH HE HAD,
YET BEING UNCIRCUMCISED: THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FATHER OF ALL THEM THAT BELIEVE."
Hallelujah!
So circumcision is a seal, a sign of the cutting away of
the works of the flesh. But the outward circumcision is not what God is interested
in, as we find in Romans 2:28-29, but it is that circumcision, or sealing of the
HEART that is important ... "FOR HE IS NOT A JEW, WHICH IS ONE OUTWARDLY- NEITHER
IS THAT CIRCUMCISION, WHICH IS OUTWARD IN THE FLESH: BUT HE IS A JEW, WHICH IS
ONE INWARDLY: AND CIRCUMCISION IS THAT OF THE HEART, IN THE SPIRIT, AND NOT IN
THE LETTER." Glory be to God! Read what Paul says in Colossians 2:11 "IN WHOM
(CHRIST) ALSO YE ARE CIRCUMCISED WITH THE CIRCUMCISION MADE WITHOUT HANDS, IN
PUTTING OFF THE BODY OF THE SINS OF THE FLESH BY THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST."
It couldn't be plainer, could it? The Holy Spirit puts a seal upon our heart,
and this is that spiritual circumcision or cutting away of the flesh which corresponds
to the breastplate of the High Priest. See what the Holy Ghost spoke through the
apostle in 2 Timothy 2:19 "NEVERTHELESS THE FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDETH SURE, HAVING
THIS SEAL, THE LORD KNOWETH THEM THAT ARE HIS, AND, LET EVERY ONE THAT NAMETH
THE NAME OF CHRIST DEPART FROM INIQUITY."
So there is a glorious experience
in Christ Jesus our Lord, an experience which we call 'the new birth," or sometimes
refer to as "salvation." When you have truly met the Lord in the fulness of this
experience your life will be changed. You will have a spiritual circumcision,
and the works of the flesh will be cut off. You cannot do this in your own strength,
it must be an operation of the Spirit of God. You cannot be a better sinner and
just grow into this state. You must meet God in a life-changing experience, and
be "born-again." And when you do, you will find that your heart will be sealed,
you will have the breastplate of our heavenly High Priest and through His precious
promises you will be made partaker of His divine nature.
PUTTING ON A NEW
NATURE
There were, on the breastplate, twelve names sealed or engraved
on the twelve stones. Names, and their meaning, are very important in the Bible.
The name speaks of the nature and purpose of a man. The name "JESUS" means "saviour,"
and the Bible says that they "CALLED HIS NAME JESUS, FOR HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE
FROM THEIR SINS." So these names engraved on the breastplate speak of the new
nature we receive as we are circumcised in heart. "THEREFORE IF ANY MAN BE IN
CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE
BECOME NEW. (2 Corinthians 5-17)." We shall not take time to look at all the names
in the breastplate, but let us examine a few to get an idea of this new nature
which is to come to us through the new birth.
REUBEN - "BEHOLD A SON"
"Behold
a son," this is what Reuben's name means. it speaks to us of our relationship
to God. The Jews recognized God as a Creator, as a Lawgiver, as a Deliverer, and
as a Judge. But when Jesus came, He taught them to say: "OUR FATHER." He demonstrated
our true relationship to God as Sons. We are not to be relegated to the place
of a servant, tho we (like the Prodigal) realize our total unworthiness of sonship.
But in spite of our unworthy condition, He has a robe, shoes, and a ring ....
as well as a fatted calf. And there is a relationship between Father and son that
can never be realized by servants. Thank God for this glorious treasure that comes
by way of a spiritual birth, a thing we had not asked for or known about, but
something He purposed for those He loved.
This sonship also implies
a growing to maturity, full stature. This relationship is not to remain forever
as just a child of God, an infant to be cared for and looked after and protected.
But with Reuben engraved on the breastplate, we see a son coming to maturity,
being conformed to the image of the first-born Son of this new creation. This
brings on privileges and responsibilities, not known to the babes in Christ. But,
beloved, this is our inheritance, and our destiny, so let us press on in to the
fulness that God has purposed for us in our new natures.
SIMEON - "A HEARKENING"
The name of Jacob's second son, sealed into the stone of the breastplate,
speaks to us of hearing and obeying the voice of God. Jesus, of course, was the
perfect example of this. He "did always those things that pleased the Father."
He was always quick and eager to hearken to the Father's voice. He was, in fact,
the perfect Son .... the one who could cause the Father to say: "THIS IS MY BELOVED
SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED!" One of the marks of true sonship is that willingness
to lay aside our own ambitions and desires and plans in order to do the will of
the Father. "NOT MY WILL BUT THINE BE DONE." Walk softly, dear ones, and listen
with an eager ear, for God is testing His sons with a still small voice, to see
who is listening with obedient hearts. These are momentous days and this "hearkening"
being sealed into our very natures is the reason why His Elect shall not be deceived
in this hour. They are hearing His voice, and another they will not follow. Hallelujah
to His wonderful Name!
JUDAH - "PRAISE"
One of the surest marks
of a new nature the attitude of praise found in those who have been born again.
Throughout the Word we find strong evidence that our lives are to be continually
filled with praise. Grumbling and murmuring has no place in the life of the son
whose heart has been sealed. Philippians 2:14 and 15 says "DO ALL THINGS WITHOUT
MURMURINGS AND DISPUTINGS: THAT YE MAYBE BLAMELESS AND HARMLESS, THE SONS OF GOD,
WITHOUT REBUKE, IN THE MIDST OF A CROOKED AND PERVERSE NATION, AMONG WHOM YE SHINE
AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD." But what if everything is going wrong, and there doesn't
seem to be anything to praise the Lord for, and you don't feel like praising?
Then just praise the Lord anyhow! Because it is part of your new nature, it I
s been sealed into you. Many problems will melt like wax before a hot fire, when
you begin to surround those problems with a mighty barrage of praise. A long and
edifying message could be written about this one point alone, but we must hurry
on ...
ASHER - "FORTUNATE, OR HAPPY"
Truly we are fortunate, but
this is because of His grace. But there is a joy, a real happiness that becomes
a part of our very nature after we come to know Him. Looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith, we find that "FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM,
HE ENDURED THE CROSS." He was a man so joyous, so happy, so bubbling over with
life and enthusiasm that the little children loved to be around Him. You can't
consistently fool children, they know whether you are just putting on an outward
show of enthusiasm, or whether you are really full of interest and life and joy.
Oh yes, I know He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, but Hebrews
1:9 says that He was anointed with the oil of gladness above all the rest of us.
And Isaiah 61:3 tells us that the spirit of the Lord was upon Him that He might
give unto those that mourn in Zion the oil of joy for mourning. You can't give
what you don't have. But He had that oil of joy, in abundance! Praise God! And
His people are to be a happy people, for they have His nature. There is no place
for sad, grumpy "Christians." In this world of darkness we are to be lights -
living invitations for people to turn to Jesus, not a warning for those who want
to have fun in life to "stay away from church and religion." I never knew what
real happiness was until I found the Lord.
GAD - "A TROOP"
Gad's
name speaks to us of a body of disciplined soldiers, trained and ready to take
their place in the fight. The Lord is no longer speaking of "Just Jesus and me
on the Jericho road ... 1, But in these days He is making us to realize our need
of the Body of Christ, and our responsibility to it. "A Troop." Glory to God,
this makes me think of Joel's Army, as well as Ezekiel's great army that rose
from the valley of dry bones. Daniel saw that this people would be strong and
do exploits. Isaiah saw a mighty and strong one that would stand in the day of
judgment and turn the battle to the gate. Jeremiah saw them as God's battle ax
and weapons of war that would break in pieces the nations and tear down Babylon.
All the prophets saw and spoke about this great people. A Troop. Beloved, don't
let man's doctrinal interpretations make you think that you are going to some
other geographical planet or place during the great battle of the ages, letting
the natural Jews fight God's war for Him. By your very nature you are a soldier
of Jesus Christ, and part of a troop. You are not alone, and you cannot stand
alone in that awful and fearful day. But you are part of a troop, and this speaks
of discipline. The Bible says that tho Jesus was a Son, yet He learned obedience
by the discipline He endured. That is what the word "suffered" means here. Having
been a U. S. Marine Paratrooper during World War 2, I know something of the importance
of discipline in time of war. It is dangerous to have buddies that are not trained
and disciplined rigorously. But it Is a great comfort to know that the one next
to you obeys commands quickly, knows what to do and will do it. Dear ones, we
are in a great spiritual war. Not against flesh and blood, but against the princes
and rulers of darkness . . . And God is weeding out those who will not come under
discipline for the sake of the Body. He is "purging out the rebels." You cannot
come into this alone, you need the Body. In the great day of the Lord EVERY ISLAND
FLED AWAY, AND THE MOUNTAINS WERE NOT FOUND" (Revelation 16:20) Be thou warned.
Set not thyself aloof from the rest of us, and took not upon us with disdain.
Remember, thy name is Gad. . A troop.
ZEBULUN - "A HABITATION"
Just
one more name before we leave this subject. The margin of your Bible will give
you the meaning of the rest of the names of the children of Israel in chapters
29 and 30 of Genesis. Look them up, and the Spirit will show you some wonderful
things about their meaning and the truths contained therein. But let us look at
Zebulun "A habitation." Praise God, what a wonderful thing we are sealed up to
here. To be a habitation of God through the Spirit. God's House. Glory! IN MY
FATHER'S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS," Jesus said in John 14:2. David wanted to build
God a house, but God gave David to understand that He couldn't build God a house,
even heaven and earth couldn't contain God. "What house will ye build me?" God
asks (Acts 7:49). But God gave David to know that Christ was coming to build God
a house. And there are many mansions or dwelling places in this house. Paul and
Peter tell us that this present physical body we live in is only a tent or tabernacle,
but that we shall soon exchange it for an eternal dwelling, a mansion that never
grows old or sick or suffers pain. Does God have a body or house to live in? Where
does God live, and what is the place of His habitation? "AND I HEARD A GREAT VOICE
OUT OF HEAVEN SAYING, BEHOLD, THE TABERNACLE OF GOD IS WITH MEN AND HE WILL DWELL
WITH THEM (Revelation 21:3)." "YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD, AS GOD HATH
SAID, TWILL DWELL IN THEM, AND WALK IN THEM, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY
SHALL BE MY PEOPLE (2 Corinthians 6:16)." This is far too powerful a truth to
try to cover it in the space I have available in this paragraph, but this subject
will be dealt with at greater length in a later message, God willing. Let it suffice
to say that we, the Zebulun people whose hearts have been sealed, are chosen of
God for His very own habitation. Glory to God, makes me want to shout! But how
can you shout on a piece of paper? Hallelujah! The way I feel right now, the owner
of THIS house is at home!
THE SEAL ON THE SHOULDERS
The first part
of this message deals with the glorious experience of the "new birth," shown in
the type or shadow of the seal that covers the heart. Now we come to the second
seal or experience, and this is seen in the seal put on the two onyx stones on
the shoulders of the High Priest. The description of this is found in Exodus 28:6-14.
Notice that the number 'two" is mentioned seven times in these verses. Two is
the number of witness. It is very significant in connection with the feast of
Pentecost. In Leviticus 23:17 describing the feast of Pentecost, we read: "YE
SHALL BRING OUT OF YOUR HABITATIONS TWO WAVE-LOAVES OF TWO TENTH DEALS; THEY SHALL
BE BAKEN WITH LEAVEN: THEY ARE THE FIRST- FRUITS UNTO THE LORD." So it is that
this glorious experience of the "Baptism with the Holy Ghost" or as some like
to say, "being filled with the Spirit," is typified in the feast of Pentecost,
and is the "firstfruits" of our promised inheritance. Hallelujah! The Apostle
Peter says in Acts 5:32 "WE ARE HIS WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS ... AND SO IS ALSO
THE HOLY GHOST, WHOM GOD HATH GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM." Now look at Acts 1:8.
"BUT YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER AFTER, THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: AND YE
SHALL BE WITNESSES." Notice that while the first sealing or experience deals with
the heart and the cutting away of the works of the flesh, this one deals with
power. Now we can see why it was put on the two shoulders. For the arm and the
shoulder speaks of strength, power, ruling ability etc. "AND THE GOVERNMENT SHALL
BE UPON HIS SHOULDER (Isaiah 9-6)."
THE GUARANTEE
This marvelous
experience, seen in the sealing of the two onyx stones, is not the end of God's
promises, but is in reality the earnest or guarantee of our hope of receiving
the fulness of the inheritance. 1 Corinthians 1:21-22 says "NOW HE WHICH STABLISHETH
US WITH YOU IN CHRIST, AND HATH ANOINTED US, IS GOD: WHO HATH ALSO SEALED US,
AND GIVEN THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS." That word earnest means a
foretaste or guarantee of the fulness. In fact, the Amplified New Testament brings
this out thus. "BUT IT IS GOD WHO.. HAS CONSECRATED AND ANOINTED US, ENDUING US
WITH THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT PUTTING HIS SEAL UPON US AND GIVING US HIS HOLY
SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS AS THE SECURITY DEPOSIT AND GUARANTEE OF THE FULFILLMENT
OF HIS PROMISE." Another version words it: "HE HAS PUT HIS SEAL UPON US AND GIVEN
US HIS SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS AS A GUARANTEE."
I realize, of course, that
some people have been "railroaded" through to a doctrinal "pentecostal experience"
where they have an "evidence,, satisfactory to the spectators, and yet have never
tasted of the fulness of this great Baptism. But anyone who has ever received
the reality of this heavenly outpouring can quickly understand what I mean when
I say that words are inadequate to express the glory and joy and power in it.
Yet the Word is clear. It is only an earnest or foretaste. What then will the
fulness be like?
REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION
There is
a thrilling story and prophecy in Jeremiah chapter 32 that you must read to get
the background for what I am about to say. But first let us read in Ephesians
1:13-14 ... "IN WHOM YE ALSO TRUSTED, AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE
GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION: IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED
WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE, WHICH IS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL
THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION." The Revised version reads ... "WERE
SEALED WITH THAT PROMISEDHOLY SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE
UNTIL WE ACQUIRE POSSESSION OF IT." And the Amplified New Testament even goes
further: "WERE STAMPED WITH THE SEAL OF THE LONG PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT, THAT SPIRIT
IS THE GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE, - THE FIRST FRUIT, THE PLEDGE AND FORETASTE,
THE DOWN PAYMENT ON OUR HERITAGE, IN ANTICIPATION OF ITS FULL REDEMPTION AND OUR
ACQUIRING COMPLETE POSSESSION OF IT."... Glory to God! Hallelujah!
Notice
that after we believed, following the new birth and the seal of the circumcision
of heart, there was another sealing. One of power and promise. It is the foretaste
of the full inheritance which the early church had not yet received, but which
is "AN INHERITANCE INCORRUPTIBLE, AND UNDEFILED, AND THAT FADETH NOT AWAY, RESERVED
IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME (I Peter 1:4-5)." So
now, in these last days, and through this end-time Church, there is to be an unveiling
of this treasure, a manifestation of the glory of full Sonship. Romans 8:19 says
that the hope of all creation waits for the appearing of the reality of this Truth.
"BUY THE FIELD ... SEAL THE DEED, WITH WITNESSES"
The children of
Israel were about to go into captivity. They would not be dwelling in their promised
inheritance. But the prophet Jeremiah was giving them a promise, a pledge or guarantee.
In Jeremiah 32:10-14 the prophet buys a field and has the scribe Baruch subscribe
the evidence and "seal it." This seal was their guarantee that they would return
from captivity and again dwell in the promised land. And in verse 44 God promises
that men would again enter into the land and dwell there and build cities, for
he would cause their captivity to return.
Oh, beloved, can you see the
tremendous significance of this prophecy? The Church has been in Babylon, in bondage
to man's organized ways and methods. When Satan saw the Church locked in the darkness
of the old harlot Roman system, a system that was and is corrupt and rotten to
the core, he no doubt laughed with glee, thinking he had put one over on God.
But God was still on the throne and ruled the affairs of men. And right in the
midst of captivity God gave a seal or guarantee that He would bring them out of
bondage and back into their own promised land. I'm talking about the Church now,
and spiritual things. For Satan and all the hordes of demons were thrown into
consternation when at the turn of this century, God again reaffirmed His pledge
and poured out of His Spirit in mighty power upon hungry hearts. For every time
some dear child of God received the glorious infilling of God's Spirit and came
through speaking in tongues, they were manifesting the seal or guarantee that
God was going to give the Church the fulness of the Spirit as manifested in the
life of Jesus Christ. Let the heathen rage, let Satan storm about .... every Spirit-filled
saint on earth today is a living witness that Jesus Christ is alive, and that
His divine life will again be reproduced upon this earth in human vessels. Let
the Pentecostal people talk about defeatism and wish for the day when they will
all fly away into the skies to escape the great battle of the ages that is soon
to take place upon this earth. For every time one of them speaks in tongues or
manifests a gift of the Spirit, they are reaffirming the great Truth that the
Church is soon to be filled with all the fulness of God and "come to the measure
of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Then shall every enemy be put under
the feet of the Body of Christ, including the last enemy to be conquered which
is death.
Every time a Spirit-filled preacher rises up in the Holy Ghost
and works miracles, heals the sick, or casts demons out of someone, it makes Satan
raging mad. For He knows by this sign that his time is short. For this manifestation
of divine power is a seat or guarantee that the inheritance or promised land is
there, purchased and ready for our return from Babylon. So Jeremiah gave them
this seal as a witness to them that this wonderful land would again be theirs.
Some did not believe the word of the Lord concerning this. So they did not buy
land, and seal the deeds as Jeremiah did. And some never returned from Babylon.
Let it be a warning to us, dear ones. God will fulfill His own purposes, whether
we agree to it or not. But whether we are going to be in on it or not depends
much on our own attitude and actions concerning this. Be faithful, and be full
of faith. For it shall surely come to pass, and nothing shall hinder. Glory be
to God! Thank God for the precious first-fruits or earnest of our inheritance.
Thank God for the wonderful Baptism with the Holy Ghost, our promise that God
will give to us the fulness of His Spirit!
THE GOLDEN CROWN OF THE HIGH
PRIEST
Now we come to the third and last sealing in connection with the
High Priest, and this one is found in his forehead. This is very significant.
Notice in Exodus 28:36-38 where it speaks of this crown of pure gold, that the
seal or engraving upon it is to be "HOLINESS TO THE LORD." It was the names of
the twelve tribes that were engraved on the breastplate and onyx stones, which
speak of our new nature and the power in this anointing. But here we are dealing
with our relationship to the Lord God. For notice that the crown is of pure gold,
and put upon blue lace. Blue is symbolic of the heavenly nature, while gold of
course speaks of divine attributes. And it is very significant that he always
was to wear this in his forehead.
THE THIRD AND FINAL SEALING OF THE SAINTS
Now read with me in Revelation 7:2-3 "AND I SAW ANOTHER ANGEL ASCENDING
FROM THE EAST, HAVING THE SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD: AND HE CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE
TO THE FOUR ANGELS TO WHOM IT WAS GIVEN TO HURT THE EARTH AND THE SEA, SAYING,
HURT NOT THE EARTH NEITHER THE SEA, NOR THE TREES, TILL WE HAVE SEALED THE SERVANTS
OF OUR GOD IN THEIR FOREHEADS. " Verse 3 tells us that these who are to be sealed
are the 144, 000. Now don't try to bring me that old traditional idea that these
are the natural Jews who have suddenly decided to believe in Christ. For here
God is dealing with His elect, those whom He has put through the fires of tribulation
and testing and found them to be faithful. See what Revelation 14:1 says "AND
I LOOKED, AND LO, A LAMB STOOD ON THE MOUNT SION, AND WITH HIM AN HUNDRED FORTY
AND FOUR THOUSAND HAVING HIS FATHER'S NAME WRITTEN IN THEIR FOREHEADS." It goes
on to say that these were not defiled with "women" (harlot churches) they follow
the Lamb everywhere (being conformed to His image) and have received that full
redemption spoken of in Romans 8, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Revelation 22: 1 - 4 says that those who dwell in the new Jerusalem shall see
His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads.
THE MIND OF CHRIST
Why is this final sealing in the forehead? What has our mind got to do
with our relationship to God? "AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED
BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND (Romans 12:2)." Notice that word "transformed." It
comes from the Greek word "Metamorphoo" which is used 4 times in the Bible and
translated "changed," "transformed," or "transfigured" This is the word used in
Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2 when it speaks of Jesus being transfigured before them,
on the mount of transfiguration. It is also used in 2 Corinthians 3:18 where it
says: "BUT WE ALL, WITH OPEN (unveiled) FACE BEHOLDING AS IN A GLASS THE GLORY
OF THE LORD, ARE CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY, EVEN AS BY THE
SPIRIT OF THE LORD." And the revised version words it thus: "AND WE ALL, WITH
UNVEILED FACE, BEHOLDING THE GLORY OF THE LORD, ARE BEING CHANGED INTO HIS LIKENESS
FROM ONE DEGREE OF GLORY TO ANOTHER." And the wording of the Amplified New Testament
is very beautiful: "AND ALL OF US, AS WITH UNVEILED FACE, BECAUSE WE CONTINUE
TO BEHOLD AND TO RE F LE CT LIKE MIRRORS THE GLORY OF THE LORD, ARE CONSTANTLY
BEING TRANSFORMED INTO HIS VERY OWN IMAGE IN EVER INCREASING SPLENDOR AND FROM
ONE DEGREE OF GLORY TO ANOTHER."
So there is a transfiguration going
on within us as we behold and reflect the glory of the Lord. Hallelujah! And the
sealing of our minds mark the completion of this transformation. Paul goes on
to say in 2 Corinthians 4:7 "BUT WE HAVE THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS, THAT
THE EXCELLENCY OF THE POWER MAY BE OF GOD, AND NOT OF US." is this great truth
hid? It is hid to those whose minds have been blinded by the god of this world,
because they would not believe. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Let us beware lest we let
this glorious "good news" or gospel go unheeded. It is time now to rise up and
take the Kingdom. Press thy way in, beloved, for it is the Father's good pleasure
to give you the Kingdom, and to share with you the fulness of His treasures. Glory
to God, you are a joint-heir with Jesus Christ of all the riches of Wisdom and
Knowledge and Grace. Need I say more? Does this not stir your heart to seek the
Lord? Put down thy tools of weakness, and put off thy filthy garments. Put on
the holy garments of the High Priest, with the golden crown in thy forehead ....
sealed with His holiness.
GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND
The admonition
of the Apostle Peter to the Church which still stands good today until the time
of the final sealing of our minds, is to "GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND, BE SOBER,
AND HOPE TO THE END FOR THE GRACE THAT IS TO BE BROUGHT UNTO YOU AT THE REVELATION
(unveiling or appearing) OF JESUS CHRIST." Now the loins are the seat of the reproductive
powers, and our soul or mind can receive seed or thoughts from various sources.
These thoughts, when received into our own mind and nurtured, can bring forth
and reproduce only after the source from whence we received them. Thoughts or
imaginations received from the spirit of man or the flesh can only reproduce and
bring forth that which glorifies and exalts the flesh. Some of these things may
seem very spiritual and good, but when they exalt the flesh and glorify man you
can know for sure where the seed came from. Be careful, who you receive seed from
in your thought life. Satan would put many things into your mind if he could,
to lead you into fear, doubt, unbelief, as well as suspicion and hatred of your
brethren. if the results are Satanic, it is because you allowed him to plant seed
in your mind. Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 2.11 "LEST SATAN SHOULD GET AN ADVANTAGE
OF US, FOR WE ARE NOT IGNORANT OF HIS DEVICES." The amazing thing here is that
this word "Devices" comes from the Greek word "noema" which also means "thoughts."
I could only find this word one other place in the Scripture, and that was in
2 Corinthians 10:5 where it says "AND BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT (Noema)
TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST."
Thank God there is a good source of seed
for your thoughts, and that is from the Spirit of God. This will bring forth thoughts
and actions that will glorify the Lord Jesus and magnify the God of our salvation.
Praise God! Open your heart and let God talk to you. I Corinthians 2:9-16 brings
out some wonderful things on this subject which we will not try to go into now
for lack of space. We have been talking about the sealing which is to come to
His Elect, just prior to the outpouring of judgment upon the earth. But what about
NOW? What can we do about this today? We can as Peter exhorts us, gird up the
loins of our mind. Keep our minds pure from the seed of Satan's thoughts. Crucify
the flesh and the affections thereof, and let God make our minds a fruitful garden!
So, until the day of His appearing and this final glorious sealing gird up your
minds and hope for that grace that will come at the revelation of our Lord Jesus.
HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD
This is what was engraved upon Aaron's golden
crown. And this is the condition of the fully sealed mind . . . separated, set
apart, sealed off from the power of Satan and the evil suggestions and imaginations
of demon spirits. And with this mind of Christ plus the power of the Onyx stone
anointing, plus the new nature of the sealed heart .... God's great army shall
go forth to set the captives free and tear down the strongholds of the devil and
the kingdoms of this world. They shall bind. the god of this world with chains,
and his princes with fetters of iron. In that great day of the Lord they shall
destroy the power of Babylon and set its prisoners loose. They shall strip the
old mother harlot and all her daughters of their finery and beauty and glory and
reveal them for what they really are. What a glorious destiny for God's Elect!
When and how shall this sealing take place, and what shall it be like?
As to when, I am convinced, that it shall be very soon now. Keep alert, dear ones,
and be not deceived into accepting anything less than God's glorious reality.
just as the reality of that which was typified in the breastplate sealing was
fulfilled in the Body of Christ that was crucified on Calvary and rose again the
third day: and just as the second sealing typified by the onyx stones was fulfilled
in the Body of Christ in the early church on the day of Pentecost when Jesus "SHED
FORTH THIS WHICH YE NOW SEE AND HEAR" (Acts 2:33) just so shall this third sealing
typified by the golden crown be fulfilled in this end-time Body of Christ which
God is raising up at this time. In Acts 2:4 we see that those who were in that
firstfruits company that opened the door of Pentecost to "YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN
AND TO ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF" were together in one accord and were "ALL FILLED
WITH THE HOLY GHOST." In the opening of the door, it was the entire Body coming
in together. So shall it be in the fulfillment of this great event which we are
expecting to take place at any time. I know there will be those who will write
and tell me that they have already received this thing many years ago. I know
that some of you have had wonderful experiences in God, some far exceeding the
normal pentecostal experience. But this experience that I am speaking of here
goes beyond anything that man has ever received, either in the early church or
in this last day church to date. Only Jesus came into this fulness and those who
receive the inheritance shall be found in His likeness , conformed to His image,
and measured to the fulness of His stature!
How this is going to take
place, and what it is going to be like, I cannot tell you. When I find out I will
write you about it .... if you don't write me first. But just as the early church
could not have described the glory of that outpouring before they had experienced
it, I am convinced that it will be the same in this day. Believe God! Have faith,
and press in! The time is at hand, and God's divine purposes shall surely be fulfilled
in His Body!
Bill Britton
Bill
Britton "Sons of God Awake " 