Conference yukon::christian_v7

    a bit of trivia...
    
    We've been going through the OT on Wednesday nights with our Gospel
    Glasses(tm) on and examining types* of Jesus Christ.  A bit of
    interesting trivia has come out of this.
    
    name the only 2 people in the Bible (besides Jesus) who no sin was
    attributed to them.
    
    Joseph & Daniel
    
    *types - a prophetic symbol designated by God.  The word type comes
             from the Greek word tupos.  A tupos was a mark formed by a blow or
             an impression, creating a figure or an image on the object that
             was struck.  Therefore, a type prefigures something or someone
             to come.  That which it prefigures is called an antitype.  A
             type prefigures only one antitype, although it may parallel many
             points in the antitype.  An illustration of this is the 
             tabernacle, a type of man's redemption. 

>    name the only 2 people in the Bible (besides Jesus) who no sin was
>    attributed to them.


Mike, Mike, Mike.  Which Bible have you been reading these days?  My Bible
says that "ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

But let's hear why they say this. :-)

    Seriously Mark, we know all have sinned, but the Bible doesn't describe
    any particular sins that Joseph and Daniel committed.

I know that I usually don't drop in here, but...

OT types of the trinity (the Godhead in the affairs of men):

	Abraham 	- Father
	Isaac   	- Son (Jesus), child of promise, sacrifice in type by 
			  father, bride sought for him
	Jacob/Israel 	- Holy Spirit, many children, father of a nation

Noah's arc, 3 Stories (the Godhead in salvation):

	bottom 		- Father
	middle 		- Son (had the door, ie only way to salvation)
	top		- Holy Spirit, had the window, ie light/illumination

Heavenly "bodies" (the Godhead in nature):

	Sun		- Father
	Moon		- Son (man of sorrows, beaten beyond recognition,
					will turn to blood)
	Stars		- Holy Spirit ("your children will be as:
				sand by sea - natural Israel
				stars of heaven - spiritual Israel)

Rob

>    Seriously Mark, we know all have sinned, but the Bible doesn't describe
>    any particular sins that Joseph and Daniel committed.

What sins to Enoch have?  What sins did Abigail have?  I guess I'm not getting
it, Mike.  Every person except these people has sin described about them?

What sins did the mother of Jesus have?

Or is this about major characters, Mike?  Now, I'm sincerely intrigued.
Melchizedek was a type of Christ (some say he was Christ).

MM

I think we're making too heavy a thing of this. 

We're told a *lot* about the personal lives of certain people in the Bible.
Most of these people have specific sins flagged, because they affect their 
role, relationship with God, etc.  It's just that we're told a lot about 
the personal circumstances of Joseph and Daniel, without being told of any 
personal fall they had.  Not that they had none (no-one is claiming that, 
least of all Joseph and Daniel;-); just that there were none pertinent to 
the record God wished to leave us.  We know they *did* sin.  It's just that 
for most people mentioned in that detail, some sin is also flagged.

The aspect of them being 'types of Christ' is just a matter of the pattern 
of their lives reflecting to a minor degree what the LORD Jesus was going 
to go through for us.  Not that they were in any way glorified themselves;
just that God could use their lives as a picture of what was to come, if He
wanted to give someone at that time special revelation.  Much as the
priests - and sacrifices - provided a picture, as was recognised, for
instance, by David. 


								Andrew

>Or is this about major characters, Mike?  Now, I'm sincerely intrigued.
>Melchizedek was a type of Christ (some say he was Christ).
    
    It's more about types, or parallels or even a symbol for Nancy, of 
    Jesus Christ in the OT.  And yes, Melchizedek is a *MAJOR* type of Christ 
    and I'm also inclined to believe it was actually Christ.  I think we may 
    even have the makings of a new topic here.  Remember, the key is to study 
    the OT with your Gospel Glasses(tm) on.
    
    And once again for Nancy the Druggie...
    
     Types - a prophetic symbol designated by God.  The word type comes from
               the Greek word tupos.  A tupos was a mark formed by a blow or
               an impression, creating a figure or an image on the object that
               was struck.  Therefore, a type prefigures something or someone
               to come.  That which it prefigures is called an antitype.  A
               type prefigures only one antitype, although it may parallel many
               points in the antitype.  An illustration of this is the
               tabernacle, a type of man's redemption.  According to Hebrews
               10:20, the veil that separated the holy place from the holy of
               holies prefigured the flesh of Jesus Christ.  When determining
               types, although it may not be formally stated, there should be
               some evidence of divine affirmation of the corresponding type
               and antitype.  For example, Romans 5:14 we read, "Nevertheless
               death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had
               not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a
               type of Him who was to come."  The word translated type is the
               Greek word tupos.  Adam was a type or figure of Christ, who was
               to come.  In 1 Corinthians 15:45, Christ is referred to as "the
               last Adam."  If the Word does not designate something as a type,
               then the Bible expositor should simply show the parallels
               without calling it a type.
    
    Mike

Move top new topic please:

> Therefore, a type prefigures something or someone to come.

Okay.  Type.  Who and what are the types in the Bible?
Would the Ark of the covenant be a type and Mary an antitype (recognizing
the significance Catholics place on these two as a type).

>               If the Word does not designate something as a type,
>               then the Bible expositor should simply show the parallels
>               without calling it a type.

I suppose this answers my question above.  It *must* be *called* a type,
right?  Now, that some ground rules are set, let's take a look.

MM

    I'll be posting my notes either tonight or tomorrow, but will be
    entering more as they come to mind.  Another good one is the 7 Miracles
    of Elisha and how his ministry paralleled Christ's.  Even when God
    allowed him to raise the widow's son from the dead, and forming a cross
    over him in doing it.
    
    Mike

    Rahab, the prostitute, let down a red cloth out her window during the
    Battle of Jericho.  It's symbolic of the scarlet thread of redemption.
    
    

>    name the only 2 people in the Bible (besides Jesus) who no sin was
>    attributed to them.

Perhaps the phrasing of this gave me trouble.  Perhaps you should have said
name the only 2 "types" in the Bible (besides Jesus)... and then explained
what a "type" was... but then Jesus wasn't a type.

I'm interested, but I need clarity.

Mark

    re .15
    
    I love it!  But, I would have never figured it out on my own.
    
    Bing

Thanks Ron ... I couldn't hit on the particular accent to translate without
it being spelled out.  But NOW - great! 

								Andrew

Portraits of Christ in Genesis
==============================
Joseph: A Portrait of Messiah (Genesis 49:22-26)
------------------------------------------------
1. His birth was a miracle - Genesis 30:1-2,22-24, Luke 1:34-37.  Firstborn of
   Rachel from a barren womb - a miraculous conception.
2. His birth causes strife - Genesis 30:25, Matthew 3:3
3. His father was told by the Lord to secretly leave the land with his family -
   Genesis 31:2-3, Matthew 2:13-15.
4. Laban was enraged when Jacob fled with his family - Genesis 31:22-24, Matthew
   2:16.
5. His name means "Let him add" or "God will increase."
6. He is clothed in a special robe - Genesis 37:3, John 19:23.
7. He was the special object of his father's love - Genesis 37:4, Luke 3:22.
8. He lived in a position of honor with his father before being sent to his
   brethren - Genesis 37:2-4, John 3:16, John 1:18.
9. He is a shepherd - Genesis 37:2, John 10:14.
10. He was hated for speaking the truth - Genesis 37:2, John 7:7.
11. He had the knowledge that he would be worshiped and his brethren despised
    this - Genesis 37:5-11, II Kings 17:3, John 5:25-32, Romans 12:1,
    Philippians 2:10.
12. He was sent from his father's side to go find his brethren - Genesis
    37:12-16, John 3:16, John 1:11.
13. He found them camped at Dothan, which means "Law" or "Rule" - Genesis 37:17,
    John 1:14-17.
14. He was hated by his brethren (Jews) without a cause - Genesis 37:18-20, John
    15:18,24-25.
15. "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him." -
    Genesis 37:18-28, John 1:11.
16. He was sold for the price of a slave - Genesis 37:28, Exodus 21:32,
    Zechariah 11:12-13, Matthew 26:15.
17. He was sold by Judah ("Judas" in Greek) - Genesis 37:26-27, Matthew
    26:14-16.
18. Judah felt great remorse - Genesis 44:16-34, Matthew 27:3.
19. His garments were taken away and stained with blood - Genesis 37:23,31,
    Matthew 27:28,31.
20. He was sent into Egypt (world) - Genesis 37:36, Matthew 2:13-15, John 1:14.
21. His father gives Him up - Genesis 37:33-35, Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46.
22. He is dead to his people for a long time - Genesis 44:20, Romans 11:25.
23. Meanwhile, he is made a Savior to the Gentiles - Genesis 41:38-49, Romans
    11:11,25.
24. He was tempted, but shown to be without sin - Genesis 39:7-13, Luke 4:1-13.
25. He was condemned by a false witness - Genesis 39:14-18, Matthew 26:60.
26. He suffered for the sins of others - Genesis 39:19-20, 40:15, Isaiah
    53:4-5,9, Romans 5:8.
27. Numbered with transgressors - Genesis 39:19-23, Mark 15:28.
28. He suffers with 2 criminals - Genesis 40:1-3, John 19:18.
29. One of the criminals is saved, the other is lost - Genesis 40:20-22, Luke
    23:39-43.
30. He is taken out of the dungeon (grave) - Genesis 41:14, Acts 2:32.
31. He is the interpreter of the future - Genesis 41:15-31, Matthew 24.  He had
    foreknowledge of 7 years of fear and famine, a picture of the Great
    Tribulation - Genesis 40:41, Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:4-35, Luke 21:22.
32. He plans with pharaoh how to save mankind - Genesis 41:32-37, II Corinthians
    5:19.
33. He was 30 years old when he began to serve - Genesis 41:46, Luke 3:23.
34. The famine affected the whole world - Genesis 41:57, Matthew 24:22,
    Revelation 6:15-17, Revelation 13:7-8.
35. He is seated beside the throne and given all authority and exalted -
    Genesis 41:38-44, Acts 5:31, Philippians 2:9, Matthew 28:18.
36. He was dressed in fine linen (a picture of righteousness) - Genesis 41:42,
    Matthew 17:2, Revelation 19:8,13.
37. He is given the title: "Sustainer of Life" - Genesis 41:45, Colossians 1:16,
    John 4:42.
38. He is made a prince and a savior - Genesis 41:40,45, Acts 5:31.
39. He is the source of the bread of life for the whole world - Genesis
    41:46-49, John 6:35,48.
40. Pharaoh commanded everyone to "go to Joseph" for salvation - Genesis
    41:55-57, Acts 4:12.
41. Everyone will "bow" to Joseph - Genesis 41:43, Philippians 2:10.
42. He was sent by God to save lives - Genesis 45:5,8, John 3:17.
43. He marries a Gentile bride - Genesis 41:45, Ephesians 5:23,31-32,
    II Corinthians 11:2.
44. His marriage (picture of Rapture) was consummated *before* the 7 years of
    famine began - Genesis 41:50 with Isaiah 26:20,21, 57:11, Daniel 12:1,
    II Thessalonians 2:1-12, Revelation 19:17.
45. His marriage produces 2 children - Manassah: "Forget the past" - Genesis
    41:51, Philippians 3:13.  Ephraim: "Fruitfulness" - Genesis 41:52,
    John 15:8.
46. Joseph's brethren were drawn to Him through their great time of trouble -
    Genesis 42:1-3, Daniel 11:35, Zechariah 13:8-9.
47. He shows them the meaning of SUBSTITUTION - Genesis 44:17,32-34,
    II Corinthians 5:21.
48. Their trouble brings them to Joseph's feet - Genesis 42:5-6,
    Zechariah 12:10.
49. His brethren do not immediately recognize Him - Genesis 42:7-8,
    II Corinthians 3:14, Romans 11:25.
50. He gives them all they need without charge - Genesis 42:25-28, Isaiah 55:1,
    Matthew 10:8, Revelation 21:6, 22:17.
51. He brings them to repentance - Genesis 42:18-24, Zechariah 12:10.
52. God saves a remnant of Jews - Genesis 45:7, Isaiah 10:22-23, Romans 9:27.
53. At the end of their time of testing while Judah is praying, Joseph chooses
    to reveal himself to his long separated brethren - Genesis 45:1-3,
    Zechariah 12:10.
54. They mourn for what they have done to him - Genesis 45:5, Zechariah 12:10.
55. He forgives them for everything they had done because it was all part of
    God's plan - Genesis 45:5-8, 50:20, Zechariah 13:1, Jeremiah 50:20.
56. He restores His brethren to fellowship with himself - Genesis 45:14-15,
    Zechariah 13:9, Ezekiel 39:25-29.
57. He gathers all Israel to himself, to his land where they are protected for
    the remaining 5 years of the famine - Genesis 45:10-11, Ezekiel 37:21,
    Zechariah 14:3.
58. He presents them to the King - Genesis 47:1-5, I Corinthians 15:24-27.
59. He places Israel as the best in his kingdom - Genesis 47:4-6, Isaiah
    66:10-24.
60. He buys all the land - Genesis 47:19,23, Revelation 5:1-8.
61. He buys all the people - Genesis 47:19,23, Revelation 5:9-10.
62. He delivers everything over to the King - Genesis 47:23-26, I Corinthians
    15:28.
63. He weeps when those he forgave doubt their standing with Him - Genesis
    50:15-21.
64. He was a suffering servant (Isaiah 53) as well as a Prince and a Savior
    (Acts 5:31).

I'm told there are a total of 100 pictures of Jesus Christ in Joseph's life.
I'll leave it as an exercise for you to find the rest.

    There's many parallels between Melchizedek and Christ, but here's a
    HUGE one that makes you think they were 1 and the same:
    
    Melchizedek was without father and mother and had neither a beginning
    or end of life - Hebrews 7:3

      re: -1
    
      Yeah, I think its real possible they are one and the same too.
    
                                                 Tony

    The "Afikoman" is also a type and shadow of Yeshua.  The word
    "Afikoman" (though assigned various Hebrew meanings) is a Greek word! 
    It is a past tense form and it is translated "I CAME, ONCE FOR ALL."
    
    1. Hidden & Brought Back - during the seder service, the afikoman is
       hidden and then brought back.  This is a picture of Yeshua both in His
       burial and resurrection; as well as His soon second return.
    
    The rest refer to the overall appearance of the Afikoman:
    
    2. Pierced - Zech. 12:10, John 19:34,37
    3. Stripes - Isaiah 53:5
    4. Bruised -   "     "
    5. Bread of Affliction - Isaiah 53:4-5
    6. Unleavened - He was without sin - a pure sacrifice.  Isaiah 55:9
    
    from "First Fruits of Zion" March 1994.
    
    Mike

    re: .21
    
    Also note that the Afikoman is the middle matzah of the three that are
    placed on the unity plate.  It is taken out, broken, hidden in a linnen
    napkin, then brought back at the end of the seder.  There is a lot of
    speculation that this part of the seder was created by Yeshua's
    followers; but I don't know for sure either way.
    
    Steve

    The Unity itself is a picture of the Godhead.

    We're still going strong with our Wednesday night study of Pictures of
    Jesus Christ in the OT.  We're currently on the Tabernacle in Exodus
    and it's simply astounding how much is in the Tabernacle alone.
    
    For instance, the Bronze Laver (chapters 30 & 38) was where the priests
    had to wash before entering the Holy of Holies.  They only had to wash
    once before they could serve.  This washing, was once and for all, no
    matter how dirty their feet may get in the future.  If you didn't wash
    that one time and tried to enter God's presence, the penalty was death.
    
    No effort was involved in the washing and it was strictly forbidden for
    you to try and do it yourself.  The water ran out onto you and cleaned
    you on its own.
    
    Now what does this sound like?  Sure puts a cramp on those that believe
    you can lose your salvation. ;-)
    
    BTW - This is also why Jesus washed the feet of the disciples before
    the Last Supper.  He was preparing them to be His priests in the
    service of Him.
    
    Mike

    Moses (Exodus 2-3)
    ------------------
    In Deuteronomy 18:15-18 you'll see Moses issuing the prophecy that the
    Messiah will be like him, which Jesus fulfilled.  Here are some of the
    many parallels between the two:
    
    1. King sought to kill him as a baby.
    2. Saved by hiding in Egypt.
    3. Rejected by Israel at his first coming.
    4. Disappeared until the appointed time.
    5. Married a Gentile bride during the time of rejection.
    6. A shepherd among Gentiles during rejection.
    7. Received by Israel at second coming.
    8. Delivered God's people.
    9. Mediator of the new covenant.
    10. Was willing to be Cursed for others (Exodus 32:32).
    11. Face brightened on the mountain of God.
    12. Fasted 40 days.
    13. Broke the Law, and then established the new law.
    14. Implemented the plan of salvation.  The tabernacle was built in the
        shape of a cross, not to mention all the parallels to salvation
        within the tabernacle and its rituals.
    15. Brought forth living water.
    16. Brought forth the bread of life.
    17. God commanded his death.
    18. His body was resurrected (Moses appeared transfigured with Elijah).

    In Exodus 16, we read about the introduction of manna.  Cross reference
    this with John 6:30-35 and you'll be quite surprised.
    
    1. Gift of Abounding grace
    2. Came to where the people were; within their reach
    3. Glory of God within it
    4. Despised by those not of the Lord (Numbers 11:4)
    5. Had to be personally accepted and eaten daily.
    
    BTW - The entire trek of the Israelites through the wilderness is a 
    type of the Christian life.
    
    Mike

    In Exodus 17, we have the miracle of Moses striking the rock and water
    gushing out.  What if we put our gospel glasses on and examine this
    miracle?  If you realize that Moses is a picture of the Law and the
    Rock is a picture of Jesus, it is more easily seen.  In case you're
    wondering, there are many OT passages (especially in Psalms) where God
    is referred to as a Rock (i.e., "you are the Rock of my salvation").
    With this in mind, considering the following from this miracle:
    
    1. The Rock had to be struck/broken by the Law.
    2. After this happened, living water was provided.
    3. The Elders of Israel witnessed it.
    4. God was there to watch the breaking.
    5. Rock was with God's people throughout journey 
    
    Some clarification around the last one.  Some speculate the stream 
    followed the Israelites while others say a new rock was struck each
    time.  Some even speculate the rock followed them.  Whatever it was, 
    Jesus was only sacrificed once so that might rule out the last two. 
    Remember in Numbers 20, Moses was punished for striking the rock again
    when God told him to speak to it.
    
    Mike

    I'm not sure if I mentioned this yet, but if this sort of study catches
    your interest, go to your local bookstore and see if you can rent Benny
    Hinn's video on the Tabernacle.  It's excellent viewing - complete with
    computerized models/animation of the Tabernacle and everything in it.
    
    Mike

    Something that just came to mind about the willow, myrtle, palm, and
    citron...  
    
    - the willow has no smell and no fruit
    - the myrtle has smell, but no fruit
    - the palm has no smell, but bears fruit (dates)
    - the citrus has both smell and bears fruit.
    
    This sounds a lot like the 4 soils in the first "kingdom parable" of
    Matthew 13, doesn't it?
    
    Mike

    One of the reasons the Feast of Tabernacles, rather than the Feast of
    Trumpets, is suggestive of the Rapture is because of the practice that
    the booths are temporary and God's people return to their permanent homes 
    at the end.  There also appears to be a hint of this by Peter desiring
    to build "succoths" at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:4.
    
    The prophetic implications of the climactic feast are many.  Most
    scholars associate it with the establishment of the Millenial Kingdom
    in Israel (Hosea 5:15-6:3, Zechariah 14:4,9,16).
    
    While the first 3 feasts - Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the
    Feast of First Fruits - seem to clearly be prophetic of our Lord's
    First Coming, it seems that the last 3 feasts of the year are prophetic
    of His Second Coming.
    
    Mike

Numbers 15:37-41 speaks of the establishment of the Tzitzith by God.

Blue Cord
---------
The Blue Cord, or Shamash (Servant), on the tassel represents many things:

    - the color of royalty
    - we are to be a royal priesthood before the Lord
    - a sign of the Messiah, the Suffering Servant

The blood of Messiah to banish our sins comes at a very high price.  The die
that is used to color the Tzitzith blue is the blood of a Murex Snail.  It takes
12,000 snails to make 1.4 grams of blue dye.  As the Snail gave up its life for
the cord, we can remember His Sacrifice and the expense at which we wear it.

Tassel Windings
---------------
Each group of windings is separated by a double knot on the tassel.  After the
first knot are 7 windings, then 8 windings, 11 windings, and finally 13
windings.

7 Windings
----------
In the first 7 & 8 windings of the blue cord, the name of YHWH is given.  Using
the numeric values of each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the first 7 windings
of the blue cord represent the letter "Yud" which is 7 and also the first letter
in YHWH.  7 is also the Hebrew number for perfection.  Our initial salvation
experience perfects us to begin our walk with God.  We are made perfect, clean,
and whole through the Messiah.

8 Windings
----------
The next 8 windings of the blue cord represent the letter "Hey," the second
letter of YHWH.  8 is also the number of circumcision.  After we repent and call
upon the name of God, our hearts are circumcised.  God cuts away the evil from
our hearts and allows us to be a pure, clean, willing, and obedient vessel for
Him.

11 Windings
-----------
The next 11 windings represent the letter "Vav" and "Hey" added together to
reveal the latter part of YHWH.  In also continuing the salvation theme, the 11
windings remind us of the dream Joseph had concerning the 11 stars, the sun, and
the moon (Genesis 37:9).  We have trials in our lives, just as Joseph did, but
we must remember that God has a plan and we must remain faithful to Him to
fulfill His promises.

13 Windings
-----------
The final 13 windings of the blue cord are the added numerical value of the
letters "Aleph", "Chet", and "Dalet."  These 3 letters spell the word "Echad"
which means "One" and refers to oneness of God (Deuteronomy 6:4).  2 Corinthians
3:18 also reminds us of being perfected and one with our Maker.

5 Knots
-------
The 5 double knots on the tassel represent the 5 books of the Torah (Pentateuch)
that give us abundant life, guide us, and foreshadow the Messiah and His
redemption for us.

32 Total Strings
----------------
The sum of the strings is the added numerical value for the Hebrew letters
"Lamed" and "Bet" which spell the Hebrew word "Lev" meaning "Heart."  This
reminds us that through the redemption of Messiah we are able to love God with
our whole heart.

613 Laws
--------
The numerical value of "Tzitzith" is 600.  When one adds the 8 strings and 5
knots to the numerical value of "Tzitzith" you get 613 which is the same number
of commandments given to us by God in the Torah.

Hemorrhaging Woman
-----------------
In Mark 5:24-34, a hemorrhaging woman is healed by touching Jesus' talit (prayer
shawl).  She was well aware of the Messianic symbols behind this and it is
understandable why she grabbed Jesus' Tzitzith.  In the original Hebrew of
Numbers 15:38, it says, "...and He will be to you as a tassel, and you will see
*HIM*, so you will remember" rather than "you will see it."  It is saying the
tassel is not it, but it is Him, the Messiah!

God's Wings
-----------
Malachi 4:2 "...to those who fear His name, the Son of Righteousness will arise
with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like a stall fed
calf."  The tassels, of the talit are symbolic of the Shekinah Presence of God -
His wings.  This is further evidence by the strong correlation of the words
wings and tassels in the Hebrew text.  As the blue cord wraps around the
Tzitzith, so does our Lord wrap His loving arms around us.  For without the
Messiah, salvation is not obtainable.  As you run your hands down the Tzitzith
and finally come to the Shamash, we realize that Jesus is the One who has made
salvation possible.

Linen
-----
The fiber used to produce linen comes from the Flax plant.  It has to be beaten
and bruised to obtain the fiber and linen is a symbol of righteousness.  Jesus
had to be beaten and bruised to obtain righteousness for us.  Wool represents
the flesh because you have to work to obtain it.  Wool also makes you sweat and
irritates the skin.  If you examine linen under a microscope, you will see
thousands of tiny little crosses embedded in it.  In the Tallit, as well as
    the Tabernacle, it reminds us that Jesus Christ covers us with His 
    righteousness.

Rosh HaShanah - Feast of Trumpets (September)
---------------------------------------------
This day begins Israel's "Civil" Year (New Year's Day) and lasts for 2 days.
The second day was added by rabbis around 500 B.C.  Tradition says that it is
the "Birthday of the World's Creation" and the offering of Isaac by Abraham.

Leviticus 23:23-25, Numbers 10:1-10, Joel 2:1-3,21, 1 Corinthians 15:52

This is apparently the next feast to be fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ!
(1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:52).

There are 40 days of repentance in the Biblical year: the entire month of Elul
and the first 10 days of Tishri.  These last 10 days, from Rosh HaShanah (Feast
of Trumpets) to Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) are called the Yomom Noraim, the
"Days of Awe."  During these days the Sabbath observed is called "Shabbat
Shuvah."  It is observed by the reading of Hosea 14:1-2 "Return, O Israel,
unto the Lord they God."  The last week apparently pictures the 7-year
tribulation period, concluding with Israel turning to Yeshua ha Masshiah,
Jesus the Messiah! (Zechariah 12:10, 13:1).  Also note, this does not mean
that the Lord's return can be dated!  No one knows the day and hour; He does
not have to come for His church at the Feast of Trumpets.

The shofar (ram's horn), is blown on both festivals.  Rosh HaShanah is called
the "Last Trump," and Yom Kippur is called the "Great Trump."  After a series of
trumpet blasts, the climax of the celebration is the Teki'ah Gedolah, "the Great
Blowing," which associate with Paul's "last trump" in 1 Corinthians 15:52.  If,
indeed, Jesus was born on the 29th of September, 2 B.C., as some reckon, He
would have been born on the Feast of Trumpets of that year.

This is a troubling time.  According to Jewish tradition, it is the time of
judgment.  In fact, Rosh HaShanah is called the "Day of Judgment."  Every deed,
every thought of the heart, is weighed in the balances and judged on that day.
It is the time when every man must pass under the rod of God, just as sheep pass
under the rod of the shepherd for counting.  This will be fulfilled in the "Day
of the Lord" (Ezekiel 20:37).

Tradition teaches that we are evaluated as either "vessels of righteousness,"
"average vessels," or "vessels for destruction."  On Rosh HaShanah each is
inscribed into the appropriate book; on Yom Kippur the books are sealed.  The 10
Days of Awe are the time to make amends with people wronged in the preceding
year in order to be written into the book of life.  Since scripture teaches that
there is none righteous, all vessels obtain mercy by receiving forgiveness for
sin by the grace of God through Jesus the Messiah.  Only then are they written
in the Lamb's book of life!

Fast of Gedaliah - Fast of the 7th Month
----------------------------------------
This fast occurs after the second day of Rosh HaShanah.  While this is not a
"Feast of Moses," it is observed by many Jews in memory of the slaying of
Gedaliah, appointed by the Babylonians as governor of Judah after the capture of
Jersualem in 586 B.C. (Jeremiah 41:1-2, 2 Kings 25:25, Zechariah 7:5, 8:19).

Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement
-----------------------------
As Christians, we do not feel that we should celebrate this feast because the
atonement has been made (Hebrews 9:24-26; 10:12).  What we do is pray for
Israel's salvation on this day.  We pray they will see the atonement that Jesus
made for them and be saved (Romans 9:30-10:15).

This Day of Atonement is the most solemn of all of the observances in Israel.
This is the only occasion in which the High Priest - he alone, and then after
elaborate ceremonial preparations - entered the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the
blood of the sacrifices on the "Mercy Seat" of the Ark of the Covenant.  This is
a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who shed his blood for our
sins and paid the price for our atonement.  Tradition has it that the Ark of the
Covenant was hidden in a vault under Golgotha's Hill when Christ died for us and
His blood sprinkled down through a hole in the hill and covered the Mercy Seat.

The offering of the Sin-bearer also took place on Yom Kippur (Leviticus
16:20-34, Matthew 27:33).  This was the day that 2 goats were selected, one for
an offering and one as the "scapegoat."  As many aspects of the feasts were
prophetic, the scapegoat (as a symbol of grace) is also Messianic (2 Corinthians
5:21, Isaiah 53:6, 52:15).  Incidentally, the lottery box used to select which
goat was to serve in which capacity, has been already fashioned for service in
the forthcoming Temple, and may be seen during a visit to the Temple Institute
in Jerusalem today.

This was also when the Water of Purification was prepared, using the Ashes of
the Red Heifer (Numbers 19, Hebrews 9:13).  This background is essential if one
is to really understand the significance of the water that Jesus turned into
wine at Cana (John 2).

Since the loss of the Temple in 70 A.D., the God-centered observances of the
Torah have been tragically replaced by man-centered, "good works" system of
appeasement through prayer, charity, and penitence.  But it appears that a
return to the traditional ways is on the horizon with the preparations to
rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

Leviticus 16:1-19,30, 23:26-32, Joel 2:11-15, Zechariah 12:10-13, Hebrews 9:1-6

Tu B'Shevat - New Year for Trees (January)
------------------------------------------
The new year for trees, Tu B'Shevat, falls on the 15th of the month of Shevat.
In Leviticus 19:23-25, the Lord told the children of Israel that when they
entered the land and planted fruit trees, they were forbidden to eat the fruit
for 3 years; in the 4th year it was to be offered to the Lord; in the 5th, the
fruit could be eaten.  But when does the year start for a tree?  It was
determined that the dead of winter is when the roots begin to suck life from the
earth.  And so the month of Shevat was designated the new year for trees, the
first time in the year they could be considered "alive."

There are scriptures that describe human beings as trees (Psalm 1:5).  That's
why Jesus said, "every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad
fruit" (Matthew 7:17).

It is the Word of God that produces wisdom which "is a tree of life to all those
that embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed" (Proverbs 3:18).
The Torah scrolls are written on parchment and wound around wood rollers.  The
rollers are called Etz Chayim, or "Tree of Life."  Jesus is the "Word made
flesh."  He gives wisdom and life to all that take hold of him.

Rosh Chodesh - The New Moon (monthly)
-------------------------------------
Rosh Chodesh, the head of a new month, begins with the new moon.  In ancient
times, Rosh Chodesh was celebrated for 3 days, as soon as the new moon was
sighted.

Actually, the "new moon" is not a moon at all.  For 2 days, the night sky is
black and moonless; usually on the 3rd night the moon appears at dusk as a dark
disc in the western sky.  It has just the slightest haze around it.  This is
when it begins to reflect the light of the sun.

The new moon is referred to as the "birth."  After 2 days of darkness, the moon
is seen as being "born again."  This expression, "born again," used by Jesus, is
not a term he invented.  It was already used and understood in Israel.  When
Gentiles from the surrounding nations came up to Jerusalem seeking God, they came
out of the darkness of paganism into the light of God and were "born again,"
just as the new moon emerges from darkness and is also "born again."

Like the moon which has no light of its own, but reflects the sun's light, the
one who comes to the God of Israel begins to reflect God's light.  Through
Jesus, Jews and non-Jews may emerge from spiritual darkness and be "born again,"
just like the new moon.

** This Feast is not prescribed by the Lord but is mentioned in Scripture **

Purim - Feast of Esther (March)
-------------------------------
Anti-Semitism has been around since the beginning.  Satan has tried to thwart
the plan of God, often by attempting to destroy his chosen people.

About 480 years before Jesus, Jews were under Persian rule.  Haman, advisor to
the king, demanded people bow down to him.  Mordecai, a Jew, would only bow
down to God.

The king held a beauty pageant to search for a new wife.  Esther, Mordecai's
cousin, won the contest.  At Mordecai's request, she hid her Jewish identity.

Haman, bristling from Mordecai's refusal to bow, cast lots, or Purim, to
determine which day to destroy the Jews.  The 12th month, 13th day, was set.

Mordecai sent a message to Esther for help.  The Jews fasted and prayed on the
14th, 15h, and 16th of Nisan.  On the 17th of Nisan, Firstfruits, Haman's curse
was reversed proving the scriptural truth, "God will bless those who bless
Israel and curse those who curse Israel."  Haman was hung on the gallows he had
prepared for Mordecai.  Esther had found favor with the king.  The Jews were
saved because Esther showed courage and spoke up on behalf of her people.

Followers of God should remember Esther.  Her willingness to speak up for the
people of Israel pleased the Lord who said through the prophet Isaiah:

"For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain
quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation ("Yeshua"
in Hebrew) goes forth like a blazing torch"  (Isaiah 62:1).

God truly cares for Israel.  So should all of God's people.

Fun activities for families to celebrate the Feast of Purim include: a costume
party - have the children dress up as characters from the story of Esther.
Act out the Biblical story (it is good to have an adult or teenager be Haman).
Have a narrator tell the story while the children act it out.  The audience
cheers for the beautiful and brace Queen Esther and her righteous uncle
Mordecai.  Everyone "boos" Haman and use their noisemakers (groggers).

Pesach  - Feast of Passover (April)
-----------------------------------
Every Passover since the Jews left Egypt, we have rehearsed the death of Jesus
the Messiah, often unknowingly.  We would select a perfect lamb, young, but
mature.  It would live with us for 4 days, from the 10th to the 14th of Nisan.
Then at 3:00pm (in the afternoon), we would kill it.

Jesus rode into the city on the 10th of Nisan, weeping over his beloved city
Jerusalem.  This day is known as Palm Sunday.  What is incredible to also note
is the reason why the Jews threw down the palm branches and robes onto the road
as Jesus passed by.  This particular road came from Bethlehem where all the
Passover lambs were raised.  Many lambs went down this road to Jerusalem for the
Passover celebration, so it was a little messy.  The Lamb of God also came
from Bethlehem and traveled down this road to Jerusalem.  Then on the 14th, at
the same time the selected lamb was killed, he too died as the lamb of God
(John 1:29).

Exodus 12:1-14, Leviticus 23:4-5, Deuteronomy 16:6, 1 Corinthians 5:7

Hag HaMatzah - Feast of Unleavened Bread (April)
------------------------------------------------
The night of Passover begins another 7-day festival - Hag HaMatzah - or "Feast
of Unleavened Bread."  During this week no leavened bread may be eaten in all of
Israel.  On the first night, the 15th, a special meal, the seder, is held.
During the seder, the father takes the middle piece from a stack of 3 matzahs.
It's called the "Bread of Affliction"  He breaks it, wraps the biggest piece in
linen, and hides it, while the children hide their eyes.  Later they will hunt
for it.

This is a picture of the children of Israel.  Many of their eyes are not yet
open to the Messiah, who was wrapped in linen strips (John 19:40), and laid in
the earth for 3 days and nights.

Exodus 12:15-18, Leviticus 23:6-8, Deuteronomy 16:3, 1 Corinthians 5:8

Passover is the first _Religious_ Feast, the beginning of the Spiritual Year.
Celebrating a Passover Seder (meal) is a special event that will indelibly
impress the spiritual truths of Jesus' redemption upon the hearts of your
children and extended family.  There are some wonderful Messianic passover
Haggadahs (service orders) available.

To prepare for the Passover and celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread you can
go on a search for leaven.  Take a lighted candle, a feather, and a paper bag.
Go throughout the house and at night time, throw away leavened items (bread,
rolls, cake, etc.).  The candle represents the ministry of the Word of God
(Psalm 119:105,130).

Find some crumbs (strategically scattered around ahead of time) and gently sweep
them with the feather into the bag.  The feather represents how tenderly and
gently the Holy Spirit works in our lives, making us more like Jesus (John
14:8-14).

Children love to search for the leaven!  When the house is cleared of leaven
take the bag and burn it in your fireplace or on your barbecue grill.  Explain
that the leaven represents sin, the candle represents the light of God's Word in
the hand of the Holy Spirit, who reveals sin in our lives.  Jesus wants to
remove the sin from our lives.

Yom HaBikkurim - Feast of First Fruits (April)
----------------------------------------------
On the first Sunday after Passover, the next festival - First Fruits - arrives.
On this day, 3 days and nights after he was buried as the broken matzah, Jesus
rose from the dead, the firstfruits of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20).
First Fruits also begins the 50-day countdown (Omer) to the next festival -
Shavout or Pentecost.

Exodus 23:19, Leviticus 23:10-14, 1 Corinthians 15:20

S'firat ha Omer (Counting the Omer) - Filling the Measure (April-May) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
First Fruits begins a 50-day countdown to the next festival - Shavuot, or
Pentecost.  On the 16th of Nisan, the priests would go out the Eastern gate of
Jerusalem to the Valley of Ashes.  After harvesting 10 omers of barley, they
would bring them to the Temple.

First the barley was threshed with canes.  Then it was winnowed by the wind,
separating the chaff from the grain.  Next, each grain was put in a perforated
pan to be parched by fire.  Last, the grain was sifted through 13 sieves, until
the flour was flawless.  This 50-day procedure was called "Counting the Omer,"
or "Filling the Measure."  In Hebrew it is S'firat ha Omer.

Rav Shaul, the Apostle Paul, may have had this in mind when he wrote Ephesians
4:7-13.  The emissary finds the unbeliever to harvest and winnows the seeker
from the disinterested.  The prophet's words burn away sin like a fire.  The
proclaimer of the Good News sifts until the new believer is perfect, ready to
be offered to the service of God.  The shepherd and teacher prepare the
winnowed grain for specialized service offered to the heavenly king.

Make a calendar of 50 squares for the 50 days between First Fruits and Shavuot.
Have the children put a sticker on it each day to count down to
Shavuot/Pentecost.

Shavuot - Pentecost (June)
--------------------------
The 50-day counting of the Omer culminates in a celebration - Pentecost, or
Shavuot in Hebrew.  Also called Natan Torah, "Giving of the Torah," it was then
God gave the 10 Commandments (Exodus 19).  Tradition teaches that the Lord
offered the 10 Commandments to 70 nations in Deuteronomy 32:8.  His voice was
divided into those 70 languages amidst thunder, lightning, and a trumpet blast.
The giving of the Torah was surrounded by signs and wonders.

The festival of Shavuot arrived, and the believers gathered together in one
place.  Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent
wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They they saw what
looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each of them.
Each was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and began to talk in different
languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak (Acts 2:1-4).

Every Jewish male was required to be in Jerusalem for Shavuot.  As a result of
the supernatural intervention of God, this small group of Messianic Jews spoke
in tongues, or languages, of the many pilgrims from out of town.

When the Torah was first given, God inscribed it on tablets of stone.  With the
coming of the Spirit, God wrote his Law on human hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-33).
Signs appeared again on the "living stones," the believers (1 Peter 2:5).  They
heard the "blast," felt the rushing wind, and spoke, as tradition says God did,
in languages of the nations.  The message of Messiah was spread as each Jewish
believer returned home from Shavuot.

Leviticus 23:15-21, Deuteronomy 16:9-10, Acts 2

** This Feast is not prescribed by the Lord but is mentioned in Scripture **

Fast of Tammuz (July)
---------------------
On Shavuot, Pentecost, Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to remain for the next 40 days
to receive God's Law.  He came down to a horrible sight - the entire nation of
Israel worshiping a golden calf, declaring that it brought them out of Egypt.
It had only been 3 months since God had parted the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea)!
Right then, on the 17th of Tammuz, Moses shattered the tablets that God had
written.

Four other awful events also occurred on the 17th of Tammuz.  Jerusalem was
captured by the Romans on this day.  In the second Temple period, a Torah scroll
was burned to defile God's name and demoralize the priests.  In the first
Temple, Manasseh set up an image of an Asherah on the altar (2 Kings 2:17).
Also, the Korban Tammid, or daily sacrifice, ended.  Daniel 9:27 says that one
will come who will stop the Korban Tammid and set up the "Abomination of
Desolation," an idol, in the Temple.  Antiochus Epiphanes did just that about
200 years before Jesus.  He was a picture of one to come, the one to bring the
"birth pangs of Messiah," or "Tribulation," the ultimate false messiah called
the anti-Christ.  But those who are in Messiah can rejoice because Jesus will
permanently destroy the adversary.

Because it contained so much tragedy for the people of God, this day in Tammuz
has been set aside as a fast day.

** This Feast is not prescribed by the Lord but is mentioned in Scripture **

Tisha B'Av - Ninth of Av (August)
---------------------------------
The 9th of Av, or Tisha B'Av, memorializes the destruction of the House of God.
In 70 A.D. the Roman general Titus besieged Jerusalem.  The siege started on the
10th of Nisan.  On the 9th of Av, they broke through the walls and slaughtered
one million Jews.  The Romans set the Temple on fire, prying apart the stones to
get the gold which had melted in between them.  It had been 500 years earlier,
also on the 9th of Av, that the Babylonians had destroyed the first Temple built
by Solomon!  Will this day be the day in the future that God allows another
attack on Jerusalem, beginning the events leading into the Messianic age?

Jesus rode into the city weeping over Jerusalem on the 10th of Nisan, 4 days
before Passover.  He said:

     "If you had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now
      it is hidden from your eyes.  The days will come upon you when your
      enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem
      you in on every side...They will not leave one stone on another,
      because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you"
      (Luke 19:42-44)

This statement was partially fulfilled in 70 A.D.; however, the ultimate
destruction is yet to come.  Only those who recognize Jesus the Messiah, the
victor, will be delivered.

There have been stacks and stacks of books written on the Tabernacle alone and
all the symbolism it contains that points to Christ, Salvation, Atonement, and
even the Christian life.  At our house, we have started to build a scale model
of the Tabernacle.  It not only is great fun, but the object lessons are really
opening the eyes of our children!  As I said yesterday,

     "The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed; the
      Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed!"

We are all drawing closer to reality of Jesus Christ, who He is and what He has
done for us in this family project!  Like I said, there are hundreds of types in
the Tabernacle, but I'll try to hit a few of the highlights.

Please continue to keep in mind that everything I've posted in this topic is all
of God!  God told man how to construct all of these things from the Tabernacle
to the Prayer Shawl.  Only God could've done this, and knowing this, it's
amazing to hear people still think the Bible was written by men alone.  For
confirmation of the examples and patterns (Hebrews 8:5, 1 Corinthians 10:11),
the figures (Hebrews 9:8-9,24), and the shadow (Hebrews 10:1), see the Scripture
references.  I'm sure where Jesus Christ sat down with the disciples and told
them about Him as mentioned by Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms, the glory of
the Tabernacle was included!

It's simply astounding to inspect the layout of the Tabernacle!  Draw a
connecting line between the horizontal and vertical pieces of furniture and
notice what you get.  It's also interesting to note that the 12 Tribes camped
around the Tabernacle in the same shape!

                                    ^North
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|                                                                              |
|  -------------------------------------                                       |
|  |            *             | TABLE   |                                      |
|  |            *             |  OF     |                    -----------       |
|  |----------  * -------     |SHOWBREAD|      -------      |   BRONZE  |      
|  |MERCY SEAT| *| ALTAR |     -------- |    | BRONZE |     |   ALTAR   |      G
|  |& ARK OF  | *|  OF   |              |    | LAVER  |     |     OF    |      A
|  | COVENANT | *|INCENSE|              |      -------      | SACRIFICE |      T
|  |----------  * -------      ---------|                    -----------       E
|  |            *             | GOLDEN  |                                      
|  |            *             |LAMPSTAND|                                      |
|  -------------------------------------                                       |
|               ^VEIL                                                          |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     South

Let's start with some colors and materials within the Tabernacle construction!
GOLD = Deity, SILVER = Redemption, BRASS = Judgment, PURPLE = Royalty, BLUE =
Heaven, OIL = Holy Spirit, SCARLET = Sacrifice, FINE LINEN = Righteousness (I
already posted a reply on Linen and Flax), PORPOISE SKINS = Humanity (outward
appearance of Christ), RAM'S SKINS = Atonement, WOOD (Acacia) = Christ's
Humanity.

The outer wall was constructed of Fine Linen, standing for the covering of
Christ's righteousness.  It was supported by Acacia Wood poles, tied down by
ropes of Goat hair.  Acacia Wood is a unique wood that is only found in the
Middle East and it grows in very dry, bare regions (i.e., around the Dead Sea).
It is Christ's Humanity in a dry and barren land.  The ropes of Goat hair
represent the Sin that Christ was nailed to for us on the Cross.  The Outer
Court wall was 7.5' high and 150' long (Exodus 27:9-15, Revelation 19:8).  Not
very big, but you have to remember that this was their transportable Temple
while in the desert.  It's function was much bigger than its size!

If you see the shape of the Cross in the furniture placement, you're right on!
Notice too that there was only 1 Gate into the Tabernacle, just as their is only
1 Gate to God (Exodus 27:16, John 14:6).  The Gate always faced East.  The Gate
also had Purple, Scarlet, and Blue woven into it which we noted before stand for
Royalty, Sacrifice, and Heaven.  It is interesting to note that no measurements
are given for the Gate.  This speaks to us that nobody could be excluded from
God's presence and nobody can be excluded from the Salvation that Christ brings
to us.  

All the Bronze/Brass pieces of furniture in the inner courtyard all symbolize
Christ.  They were paid of Acacia Wood (Christ's Humanity) and overlaid with
Brass (Judgment).  This is significant in showing that Christ had to die in our
place for our sins.  Each piece was placed where it is for a specific reason.
The procedure of visiting each piece outlines all the prerequisites for
Salvation through Jesus Christ.  The first piece encountered once you enter
the Gate is the Bronze Altar of Burnt Offering or Sacrifice (Exodus 27:1-8,
John 1:29, Ephesians 5:2, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 9:28).  A lamb, meeting the
same qualifications as the Passover lamb, was sacrificed daily to burn all day
on this altar.  At the same time, the scapegoat was set free just as it was
done on Yom Kippur.  Priests stationed on nearby mountains used to signal when
the scapegoat was out of sight, allowing God's people to advance to the next
piece of furniture.  The scapegoat (as a symbol of grace), and the lamb on the
altar of sacrifice are also Messianic (2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:6, 52:15).

Next comes the Bronze Laver (Exodus 30:18-21, 38:8, John 15:3, James 1:23-24)
which was where God's people had to wash before entering the Holy of Holies.
They only had to wash once before they could serve.  This washing, was once
and for all, no matter how dirty their feet may get in the future.  If you
didn't wash that one time and tried to enter God's presence, the penalty was
death.  No effort was involved in the washing and it was strictly forbidden for
you to try and do it yourself.  The water ran out onto you and cleansed you on
its own.  However, those who tried to enter into God's presence (Holy Place)
without washing were struck dead because there is no sin allowed in God's
presence.  For this reason, the priests had a rope and bell tied around their
waist so the others could pull the dead body out.  This not only shows us that
one must be saved to enter into the God's presence, it also shows us that we are
saved by God's grace only.  No work was allowed at the Bronze Laver.
Incidentally, this is also why Jesus washed the feet of the disciples before
the Last Supper.  He was preparing them to be His priests in the service of Him.

Next we come to the Door (Exodus 26:36-37, John 10:7-9) into the Holy Place
or tent.  Like the Gate, the Door also had Blue, Scarlet, and Purple woven
into Linen (His Righteousness).  Refer to Exodus 26:37 and Isaiah 9:6 for the
significance of the Pillars, Exodus 26:15-26 for the Boards, and Exodus 26:26-29
for the Bars.  Those that make it this far are saved and are about to enter into
a personal relationship with God Himself!

I'm still reviewing all the information that exists for the pieces of furniture
within the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies which is beyond the veil.  However,
I'll share a few things that I've already seen.

Within the tent, everything points to God and Jesus Christ.  The actual tent
materials are covered in Exodus 26:1-14.  Going inside out, the layers of the
tent were Goats' Hair (which is sin), Rams' Skin died red (which is sacrifice),
and Porpoise Skins (which is Humanity, the appearance of Christ).  We're told in
the New Testament that Christ wasn't anything spectacular to look at as was the
covering of Porpoise Skins.  The covering was solid though and offered the
greatest protection.

When entering the Holy Place, the room was lit by the Golden Lampstand.  Gold
representing Deity and the Light representing Christ (Exodus 25:31-40, Hebrews
9:2, John 1:9, Revelation 1:12-20).  It's top was similar to a 6-arm menorah.
It had to be hammered out of 1-piece of solid gold, representing the Oneness of
God (Deuteronomy 6:4).  It had 7 lights in total, representing the 7-fold Spirit
of God (Isaiah 11:2).  Within the Golden Lampstand, you have every member of
the Trinity represented, yet one.  The lump of gold that the Golden Lampstand
was made from was about 90 lbs.  In current estimates to place one in the
forthcoming Temple, it would cost about $500,000 to make one!

North of the Golden Lampstand was the Table of Shewbread (Exodus 25:23-30,
Matthew 12:3-4, John 6:33-35).  It was made of Acacia Wood (Christ's Humanity)
and covered with Gold (Deity).  Whenever you read of Acacia Wood covered with
Gold, it points to the Deity of Christ!  It had a double layer of crowns
around it so nothing all the table would ever fall off.  On a daily basis, 12
pita-pocket type pieces of bread were placed on it.  This is symbolic of
Christ always holding on to His people (12 Tribes) and never letting go.
Because of the bread, the Holy Place always had the aroma of baking bread.
Finally, Jesus is known as the Bread of Life!

Before entering the Holy of Holies behind the veil, we come to the Altar of
Incense (Exodus 30:1-10, Revelation 8:3-4, Psalm 141:2).  It was also made of
Acacia wood and covered with pure gold.  Frankincense was burned on this
Altar, which was considered to be a very valuable and precious commodity.  It
was given to kings and given to Jesus Christ at His birth as well.  The incense
here is symbolic of being sealed with God's Holy Spirit when you come into His
presence.

To enter the Holy of Holies where the very presence of God is, you had to pass
through the Veil (Exodus 26:31-33, Hebrews 10:20, and Matthew 27:50-51).  The
Veil also had weaves of Blue, Scarlet, and Purple, as well as Gold-covered
Acacia wood supports.  The Veil was a portrait of Christ's Humanity as well.

Now we are in the Holy of Holies, the most awesome room in the entire
Tabernacle!  Here is where the very presence of God is!  The Ark of the Covenant
was here with the Mercy Seat on top of it (Exodus 25:10-22, Hebrews 9:4).
Again, the Ark was made of Acacia wood overlaid with pure Gold, representing
the Deity of Christ.  The Mercy Seat and Cherubim were hammered out of pure
Gold.  The Ark contained the tablets of the 10 Commandments (God and His Word),
a golden jar of Manna (Jesus Christ - the Bread of Life), and Aaron's rod
which budded (also Jesus Christ - the Righteous Branch raised up).  The presence
of God was above the Mercy Seat between the 2 Cherubim, and He spoke to His
people from there.  

That's all I have for now.  More on the Holy of Holies as I learn it ;-)

The name Melchizedek is only mentioned in the Bible in 3 passages, all written
thousands of years apart.  These passages are in Genesis 14:18, Psalm 110 and
Hebrews 5-7.  From these 3 passages, some basic characteristics can be
determined about Melchizedek:

1. His name means "King of Righteousness"
2. He was King of Salem.  Salem means "peace" so He was the King of Peace.
3. He was the Priest of El Elyon - The Most High God Himself
4. He served Abram bread and wine to bless him.  Christ served the disciples
   bread and wine and commanded believers to do the same in remembrance of Him.
5. King David said He is a Priest Forever and a King.  Levites and Aaronic
   Priests were forbidden to be kings and God dealt severely with anyone of them
   who tried to be a king.  Obviously this priesthood is extremely unique.
6. In Psalm 110 (verse 1), YHWH (LORD) is talking to Adonai (Lord).  YHWH calls
   Adonai a Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.  This is a
   clear picture of the triunity of God.
7. He personally received Abram's tithe and offerings and blessed him.
   Levites and Aaronic priests could only collect tithes and offerings, not
   personally receive them.
8. He has no father or mother or geneaology.
9. He has no beginning of days or end of life.
10.He is *like* the Son of God.  In Daniel 3:25, translators incorrectly
   translated Elohim to say "*like* a son of the gods."  Given what we know
   about Elohim, it should say "*like* the Son of God."  They do the same
   thing to Elohim in Daniel 5:11,14 which should say "God" instead of "gods."
   Finally, Daniel 7:13 also refers to "*like* a Son of Man."  The whole point
   of this is that the Holy Spirit moved the authors to refer to the
   pre-incarnate Christ as "*like* the Son of God."  The First Advent hadn't
   yet occurred so Christ took on the appearance of what was to come.
11.He abides as a priest perpetually, and no else is part of this order.
12.He was not a Levite or Aaronic priest, He was vastly superior.

I wouldn't be dogmatic about this, but I believe it is obvious that Melchizedek
was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.  The only known member of this
order is Jesus Christ.  He was the only priest allowed to be both a High Priest
and a King.  Nobody else could live up to the requirements of the Melchizedek
priesthood set forth by God.  Only Christ is after the order of Melchizedek
because He was perfect, holy, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted
above the heavens and didn't need to perform the ritual cleansing required of
the Levites and Aaronic priests (Hebrews 7:26-27).  Only Christ is called the
King of Righteousness, King of Peace, and the High Priest of the Most High God.

Re: 425.48
    
Andrew,
    
>I think that modern culture has lost a lot of knowledge from its way of 
>life, etc....  The Hebrew way of communicating was pretty powerful in 
>a number of ways.  Those pictures speak to a depth that enlivens, where 
>cold logic yawns.

    Agreed.  That's why this topic has been a very important learning
    experience for me.  I was never exposed to these riches in God's Word
    before this year.  I find it all extremely fascinating, and some of the
    pictures even give me goose bumps! ;-)
    
    As the saying goes, "The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed!
    The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed!"
    
    I hope others in here who are new to this sort of thing are blessed by it.
    
    In Christ,
    Mike

    it was brought up in the Rapture topic (644) that Typology shouldn't be
    used to establish doctrine.  While I agreed, I maintain that it's
    significance and established patterns shouldn't be ignored.  It turns
    out that my stance is also Biblical!
    
I Corinthians 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written
for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

    Mike

Hi Mike, 

Note that the verse says examples (in today's English ;-).  As in other
Biblical pictures, which I have also referred to, examples illustrate a
principle which has been laid down.  The example does not create the principle. 
That is the distinction which has to be made!

								Andrew

    Correct Andrew (btw - the older version say ensamples which are types). 
    My whole point is that they principles are fulfilled in scripture,
    including the pre-trib rapture, and are illustrated very nicely in
    type.
    
    thanks,
    Mike

    At first glance, 1 Samuel 18:3-4 just seems to be saying Jonathan and
    David were just really close friends, but there's more than what meets
    the eye.  When you understand the Hebrew tradition of the Blood Brother
    ceremony, a whole new understanding is brought to this friendship. 
    Here is what happens in this ceremony:
    
    1. The two exchange clothing.  The neat picture here is a prince giving
       his robe to a commoner and vice versa, just as our Prince clothes us
       in righteousness.
    
    2. They exchanged weapons and promised on an oath to protect each
       other.  Christ did this for us in John 16:23.
    
    3. They sacrificed an animal to testify of this oath.  The animal was
       cut in two pieces and they walked between it together in a figure 8
       pattern.  God also did this for Abraham and the covenant He made to
       Abe back in Genesis 15:17.  This covenant seal is known as a Berith. 
       Everything God does with respect to covenants appears to come in 2's -
       including Old Testament & New Testament.
    
    4. Next each person cuts their wrists, holds their arms over their
       heads, and tie their wrists together and let their blood mingle. 
       Christ's wrists were pierced for us.
    
    5. Power is then placed in the wrist wounds to promote scars.  These
       scars are a lasting outward symbol of the covenant between the two
       people.  Christ has these scars as well, showing His covenant with
       us.
    
    6. They exhange belongings, and sometimes even exchanged names.  In
       Jesus' name, we have access to all the Father has for us.
    
    7. Last but certainly not least, they end the ceremony with a meal. 
       During the meal, each one makes a toast first with the food, then with
       the wine.  These words are said with the food, "This is my body,
       that I share with you.  I am part of you and you are part of me." 
       These words are said with the wine, "This is my blood, I am in you,
       and you are in me."  Christ's words at the Last Supper was no
       coincidence.  Neither is it coincidence that the Lord's Communion is
       taken right from the 3rd cup of wine and the Afikoman in Passover.
    
    God Bless,
    Mike

Throughout the Tanach - our Old Testament - there are many fascinating acrostics
and other textual peculiarities that will fascinate the diligent scholar.  In
the New Testament there also appears to be a Hebrew acrostic that generally goes
unnoticed.

When Jesus was crucified, Pilate wrote the sign that was nailed to the cross.
The particular wording he chose displeased the Jewish leadership and they asked
him to change it.  He refused.  There are some interesting aspects to this
incident that are not apparent in our English translations.

John 19:19  And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing
     was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
John 19:20  This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was
     crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek,
     and Latin.
John 19:21  Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The
     King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
John 19:22  Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Pilate refused to revise the epitaph he had composed.  This may have more
significance than what is apparent in our English translations.  The Hebrew is
shown below (remember, it goes from right to left):

         HaYehudim	 v Melech	HaNazarei	    Yeshua
         H               W              H                   Y

Yeshua HaNazarei v Melech HaYehudim: Jesus the Nazarei and King of the Jews.

What we don't notice in the English translation is that the acrostic made up
of the first letter of each word spells out Yahweh (YHWH)!

If Pilate had rewritten it in the manner they had requested him to, it would not
have spelled out the Name of God.  Did Pilate realize this?  Was it deliberate?
Did he do it just to upset the Jewish leadership, which he realized delivered
Him up for envy? (Matthew 27:18).  Or was he beginning to suspect that there was
more going on here than he previously realized?

When they requested a special guard for the tomb, he also responded with an
enigmatic remark, "Make it as sure as you can" (Matthew 27:63-66).  What did he
mean by that?  Did he begin to suspect that Jesus really was who He said He was?
Was Pilate really surprised when Jesus was resurrected after 3 days?  One
wonders.

I understand that Pilate died shortly afterwards.  One report says that he
died by his own hand; another report says that he died in the eruption of
Vesuvius at Pompeii.  He is also reported to have a compulsive hand washing 
habit, after his weak attempt to evade responsibility in Matthew 27:24.

One thing is obvious from his attitude (and the recording of his wife's
warning), as well as the sign over the cross - he knew that he was dealing
with someone who was significantly superior to himself, and this hardened, 
brutal Roman was very much afraid of the unarmed prisoner, whose followers 
had deserted him.

While he asked 'What is truth', in John 18:38, Pilate hadn't the strength
of character to follow the truth standing before him.

btw, Mike, I have heard that the numerical value of the title on the cross 
is 666.  Can you confirm this (or otherwise!)?

								Andrew

>I understand that Pilate died shortly afterwards.  One report says that he
>died by his own hand; another report says that he died in the eruption of
>Vesuvius at Pompeii.  He is also reported to have a compulsive hand washing 
>habit, after his weak attempt to evade responsibility in Matthew 27:24.
    
    I had heard the suicide story, but not the Pompeii one.  Another I
    heard is that Tiberius had him executed for incompetence.

>One thing is obvious from his attitude (and the recording of his wife's
>warning), as well as the sign over the cross - he knew that he was dealing
>with someone who was significantly superior to himself, and this hardened, 
>brutal Roman was very much afraid of the unarmed prisoner, whose followers 
>had deserted him.
    
    Amen!

>btw, Mike, I have heard that the numerical value of the title on the cross 
>is 666.  Can you confirm this (or otherwise!)?

    Andrew, this is a new one on me as well.
    
    God Bless,
    Mike

    	With enough numeral contortions, practically anything can be
    	assigned a numerical value of 666.

The 12 Tribes of Israel in Revelation 7 also contain an interesting acrostic,
similar to Adam's lineage in Genesis 5.  In both cases you translated the
names for the encoded message.  See what God has for the 144,000.

Note:  Judah is mentioned first, which doesn't happen in the OT (excepting
Numbers 2:3+).  Sort of a Messianic "heads up!"  Adding to this is the rather
unimportant place of 8th for the priests (Levites).  Christ is the High Priest.

Judah     - "Praise" or "He Shall Be Praised"
Reuben    - "You Look at a Son"
Gad       - "Fortune"
Asher     - "Happy"
Naphtali  - "My Wrestling"
Manasseh  - "Causing to Forget"
Simeon    - "Listening"
Levi      - "Joined" or "Attached"
Issachar  - "He Will Bring Reward"
Zebulun   - "Dwelling"
Joseph    - "May God Add to"
Benjamin  - "[The] Son of the Right Hand"

"PRAISE!  YOU LOOK AT A SON!  FORTUNE and HAPPiness, MY WRESTLING [He will
CAUSE] TO FORGET.  LISTENING and JOINED, HE WILL BRING REWARD, - DWELLING.  MAY
GOD ADD TO [THE] SON OF THE RIGHT HAND!"

What's even more spectacular about this is the way the Holy Spirit had John list
these particular tribes and their order.  A different order and you don't get
this message.  Also, the tribes of Dan and Ephraim are missing here because of
their association with idolatry.  When Dan fell into idolatry, Ephraim served as
their priests (see Judges 18:18-19, 1 Kings 12:29-30, Hosea 4:17).

Joseph is always mentioned in OT lists by including Joseph and excluding his 2
sons (Ephraim and Manasseh - Genesis 49) or vice versa (Ezekiel 48).  Also,
the tribe of Levi wasn't omitted until they gained more prominence and was
replaced by Joseph's 2 sons.  Also in Ezekiel 48, God shows His grace by
restoring them to first-mention during the Kingdom Age.

If you total them up, there are 20 different tribal lists in the OT with 10-13
tribes represented, but they are always grouped by 12.  It appears to be a
corporate identity of God's elect.  This adds to the glory of the Holy Spirit's
list in Revelation 7.

    Mike,

    re: the acrostic for Adam's lineage in Gen.5. Can you place a pointer
    to this?

    Thanks,

    Harry

    Here you go, Harry!  I don't remember where it was posted.
    
    The 5th chapter of Genesis holds an amazing tale for those that think 
    geneaologies are boring.  The same holds that doubt the Bible is God's 
    word, for no man could've planned this.  Read the chapter, and starting 
    with Adam, underline the name of every son that was born.  When finished, 
    go back and translate the meaning of each name and string them together.  
    You should be amazed by what your result is.  I certainly was!

    After reading Genesis 5:1-32, you should have come up with this list of 
    names and their translations:

    Names          Translation
    -----          -----------
    Adam           Man
    Seth           Appointed
    Enosh          Mortal
    Kenan          Sorrowing
    Mahalalel      The Blessed God
    Jared          Shall Descend
    Enoch          Dedicated or Teaching
    Methuselah     His Death Shall Bring
    Lamech         Power or The Despairing
    Noah           Rest

    So what does it mean?  It's the Gospel message encoded in the names of 
    Adam's 9 descendants.   

    "MAN was APPOINTED, became MORTAL, he hid and was SORROWING.  THE BLESSED 
    GOD SHALL DESCEND, DEDICATED to save and TEACH.  HIS DEATH SHALL BRING 
    POWER to the DESPAIRING and REST."

    There is no way man wrote the Bible and was clever enough to encode that 
    into Adam's lineage!

    What amazes me is how more often than not the translations of the
    Biblical names have so much to do with the context in which you find
    them.
    
    $ set mode/sarcasm=high
    
    ...but men just wrote the book.
    
    $ set mod/sarcasm=off
    
    Mike

I'll ask again about "Methuselah."  There's defintely a tradition that his
name means "His Death shall bring."  I've heard it here, I read it recently
in something by Billy Graham, he died the year of the flood and there's a
tradition in Judaism that this was the meaning of his name.

But when I looked up the name in a Bible dictionary, it said it meant "Spear
bearer" or something like that.  Can anyone find a reputable source that
confirms the meaning of "His death shall bring?"

Paul

    "Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names" by J.B. Jackson, 1909.  It can
    be ordered from any bookstore.
    
    Mike