Gideon

Chapter 46

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DWELLING IN THE HOLY PLACE OF THE TABERNACLE,

THE OLIVE OIL BEATEN OUT OF US AND BURNING IN THE CANDLESTICK

RELEASES OUR SPIRIT TO GOD

AND MUCH LIGHT ON THE WAY

01-27-13

(Rev 1:10-13)  I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day [Sunday, in the New Testament, resurrection day], and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, [God called John to get his attention: first reference to the biblical principle of “the burning bush” Exo 3:1-4] Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned  to see [John responded to God’s call: second reference to Exo 3:1-4] the voice that spake with me. And being turned [John perceived the revelation of God: third reference to Exo 3:1-4], I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle [Gk: belt].

1.      Commentary: “I was in the Spirit” = a trance-like mental state wherein one is in direct communion with God to the exclusion of all else which then consists entirely of distractions, exemplified by “thorns” (Mark 4:18,19). Communion (syn: unity, spiritual union) is a much more advanced and much deeper mode of intimacy than communication.

EXODUS 3:1

(Exo 3:1)  Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

EXODUS 3:1 EXPANDED

(Exo 3:1)  Now Moses [Heb: drawn out of the water, rescued] [was exiled from Egypt during the second of the three 40 year educational intervals of his life and he] kept the flock of Jethro [Heb: his excellence] his father in law [i.e., beginning as a novice “for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians” Gen 46:34; however, thereby Moses learned to serve (minister) to men (sheep)], the priest [and Moses, as Jethro’s son in law, learned the priestly functions: (we are destined to be “kings and priests” Rev 1:6; 5:10)] of Midian [Heb: brawling, contentious, discord, strife] [i.e., a priest of natural men, “beasts” Eccl 3:18; and Jesus said “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15. Interestingly, later in the Bible the Midianites were identified as “Ismaelites” Judg 8:24, the self-acknowledged ancestors of the Muslims]: and he led the flock [no longer as a novice now 40 years past, but as an experienced leader of men, a king-priest, having studied 40 years each under a king (Pharaoh) and a priest (Jethro), and now properly prepared for the next and last 40 year interval of study under God. to the backside [negative connotations] of the desert [Heb: wilderness], and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb [Heb: desolate] [another name for mount Sinai] [the latter descriptions of “wilderness” and “desolate” allude to the spiritual state of unsaved man, and also “the backside of the desert,” that “backside” of God’s glorious creation which fallen man is restricted to only minimally apprehend while walking by sight].

1.      (Acts 7:22-25)  And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians [being the son of “Pharaoh’s daughter” Exo 2:10, and thus it being probable that he would become the next Pharaoh or king], and was mighty in words and in deeds [i.e., a very accomplished student]. And when he was full forty years old [the first 40 year interval of Moses’ education was “full,” mature, complete under Pharaoh the king: “kings and priests” Rev 1:6; 5:10], it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed [he assumed incorrectly that] his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

2.      (Deut 34:7)  And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

3.      Commentary: synopsis: The first 40 year interval we studied to be kings under Pharaoh, became born-again and have been exiled (separated) from Egypt (the world); the second 40 year interval we are currently keeping/leading the flock and studying to be priests under Jethro. We are about to enter into the third 40 year interval biblically designated as the Millennium wherein, at the onset, we shall completely die to this world (1 Thes 4:15-17), “they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign [as kings] with him a thousand years.” (Rev 20:4-6), and then commence to study under God (miracles).

4.      Commentary: Question: How long did Moses serve, functioning as a king-priest subservient to All Mighty God, by leading the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land? Answer: 40 years in the wilderness. In summation, Moses’ life consisted of 40 years of serving and learning under Pharaoh (king), 40 years of serving and learning under Jethro (priest), and 40 years of serving and learning under God. Then Moses died at 120 years old; and the Bible identifies him as: “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD…” (Josh 1:1). After a life of service ending with his death (transition), what did Moses thereafter become? An eternal servant of God, yes; but much more than that. What then? Well we next see Moses “Who appeared in glory” (Luke 9:31) on the mount of transfiguration comfortably conversing, as “friends” are prone to do, with Elijah and Jesus Christ.

a.      (Luke 9:28-35)  And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed [receiving a power transfer (charge) from Father God], the fashion of his countenance [Gk: appearance, face] was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering [Gk: to lighten forth, (fig.) to be radiant]. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elijah: Who appeared in glory, and spake [as friends] of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the [glory of the] two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles [Gk: tents]; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah [implicitly equalizing the three]: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him [i.e., so much for any “equalization” thoughts].

b.      (John 15:12-17)  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends [as did Jesus for us]. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth [not now while you are still alive serving and learning, but after your death when you have completed your service and education] I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not [i.e., has not learned] what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

EDODUS 3:2-4

(Exo 3:2-4)  And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush [God called Moses to get his attention “and (I) heard behind me”]: and he looked [Moses responded to God’s call“And I turned to see”], and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside [“I will arise” Luke 15:18], and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside [“And he arose” Luke 15:20] to see  [Moses perceives the revelation of God “And being turned”], God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I [trained up, prepared and ready to embark upon the third 40 year interval of learning to serve God with miraculous power, and God sent him to deliver the Israelites out of the hand of the Egyptians].

Amen