The Feasts of God (13)

Table of Contents

105. Tabernacles: The Path to Unity (4)

106. Tabernacles: The Path to Unity (5)

107. Tabernacles: The Path to Unity (6)

108. Tabernacles: God Dwelling (Tabernacling) with and in His People

109. Tabernacles: That the World May Believe

110. Tabernacles: The Feast of Rejoicing

111. Tabernacles: Revealing the Multifaceted Bride of Christ

112. Tabernacles: Revealing the New Jerusalem

Chapter One Hundred Five

The Feasts of God

Tabernacles

The Path to Unity (4)

Ephesians 4:11-13

We have been studying what is often referred to as the five-fold ministry (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers). We established that these are not offices to be held or titles to put in front of someone’s name. They are services to the Body of Christ.

Because there was no punctuation in ancient Greek, I think removing some of the commas and adding commas where there are semicolons in the above scripture reference gives us a better understanding of what the apostle Paul was saying when he penned these words.

Jesus gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, implying that all believers are not called and anointed for these specific areas of service but some are.

We have briefly looked at the function or service of apostles, prophets and evangelists. Now let’s consider the function or service of pastors.

The Greek word for pastor is poimen. It means a shepherd; one that tends herds or flocks (not merely one that feeds them) and is used metaphorically of Christian pastors.

A thorough study of the New Testament makes it clear that pastors were also referred to as elders, bishops and overseers (see Acts 14:23, 20:17 and 28/Titus 1:5/1 Peter 5:1-2).

In modern English, I think overseer best describes the function and service of a pastor. A pastor is not to be the CEO of the local church organization and is in no way to control those he/she ministers to. The pastor simply oversees the local assembly as it is led by the Holy Spirit. He/she is to lead by example for the most part, rather than by function. The only time a pastor’s function becomes that of a leader is when it becomes necessary to bring an out-of-order meeting back in line with the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Even when this becomes necessary, whenever possible it should be undertaken in a subtle way so as to not embarrass or offend the one or ones hijacking the meeting, if possible.

We should note here that the local church meetings are to be conducted in small groups in homes, for the most part. Pastors being over large so called churches meeting in church buildings is totally unscriptural. It is the product of ideas and traditions of men rather than according to God’s blueprint for the Church, and while God has blessed that model during the prophetic fulfillment of Pentecost, He will not bless it during this ultimate and final prophetic fulfillment of Tabernacles.

A common and widely accepted mindset that was and is practiced in the Catholic Church, was carried over into the Protestant Reformation and which continues to be prevalent in most independent churches is the clergy/laity system, which gives man-ordained pastors a position of prominence over their congregations and authority that is not only unscriptural but dangerous. This practice has not only stunted the growth of believers, it has kept them functioning as workers in the church rather than ministers. Scripture makes it clear that we are all to minister to one another as we are led by the Spirit to do so.

The clergy/laity system is the practice of the Nicolaitans spoken of in Revelation 2:6 and 15, which Jesus said he hated. Evidently this practice had crept into the church long before the Catholic Church made it a major part of the foundation of their denomination.

This practice has given so called pastors, who go by different titles in different denominations (father, reverend, rector, etc.) a position of prominence and power, elevating them above apostles and prophets and usually in the absence of apostles and prophets.

When is the Church going to realize there is no other way but God’s way and that to practice any other way is sin? When are believers going to realize that to practice anything other than that which Scripture reveals as truth is to set themselves up for failure? Why do Christians think they have a better way than God’s way? To do so is not only arrogant, it is extremely dangerous!

It is time we divorce ourselves from ideas and traditions of men and make a quality decision to build only in and upon the pattern established by the Holy Spirit in the first century. Those that refuse to are going to be left behind in this new day (millennium) we are now entering, as Jesus is building His glorious Church that He will present to Himself without spot, wrinkle or any such thing, holy and without blemish (see Ephesians 5:27)

Chapter One Hundred Six

The Feasts of God

Tabernacles

The Path to Unity (5)

Ephesians 4:11-13

In ancient Greek there was no punctuation so it was added by the translators. Often where a comma is placed can change the meaning of a sentence, which I believe is the case with the above scripture.

The way it is written in the KJV implies that some believers were given apostles, some prophets etc. Remove the commas and I think a truer meaning of the text can be understood:

Jesus gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, implying that all believers are not called and anointed for these specific areas of service but some are.

We have briefly looked at the function or service of apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastors. Now let’s consider the function or service of teachers.

The Greek word for teacher is didaskalos. In the Jewish culture of the Bible the word rabbi was used to describe a teacher as is still the case among Jews today.

In Jewish culture it was used as a title and considered to be a position of prominence. It also meant master. Hence, Jesus put rabbis in their place in the twenty-third chapter of Matthew (see Matthew 23:1-12) and told His disciples they should not take the title of Rabbi because there is only one Master, which is Christ.

He made it clear that in the New Testament Church those with the greatest functions should consider themselves servants. He went on to say that whoever exalts himself will be abased but the humble will be exalted.

The function or service of a teacher is simply to teach. While anyone can teach in the right situation as they are led of the Spirit to do so, there are those anointed teachers with an ability to articulate scripture in such a way that it is hopefully better understood by other believers.

While there are those who function primarily as teachers, I think most apostles and pastors are also teachers, as may be the case with evangelists and even with prophets.

Teaching can be general or on a specific subject. Where the prophetic is concerned, there is prophetic teaching, shedding light on prophetic scripture.

Teaching is listed last in Ephesians 4:11, but is in no way any less important that the function of apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastors. It will take all five of the so called five-fold ministry to bring the Church to completion/maturity/perfection.

Chapter One Hundred Seven

The Feasts of God

Tabernacles

The Path to Unity (6)

And he [Jesus] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto itself in love.

Ephesians 4:11-16 (emphasis added)

Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are to serve the Body of Christ until… Until we all come into the unity of the faith, being completely perfected with a full knowledge or revelation of the Son of God.

Are we there yet? Of course not. But we will get there, glory to God! And the purpose of the five-fold ministry is to assist us in getting there. It is their job to work themselves out of a job, always moving toward the time when they will no longer be needed because the Body of Christ will have grown up into Christ in everything, fully recognizing Him as our only Head, with the Body being properly fitted together, functioning as one unit, increasing and building itself up in love.

Wow! I don’t know about you but I can hardly wait.

That’s why Hebrews 10:24-25 is so important. This scripture is not about going to church. It is about being the Church. It is about assisting each other as we grow into the unity of the faith. It is about serving and ministering to one another. It is about walking in the covenant we share with all believers.

We’ve got to stop dividing along doctrinal lines and start allowing each other room to grow. We are all in the process of maturing. We just happen to be at different places or levels of maturity. As a result we are not seeing the Kingdom from the same vantage point, resulting in doctrinal differences. And that is okay, for now. If we will accept each other with our differences, we will continue to grow into the unity of the faith, until…

This must become our position because the day, which the writer of Hebrews saw approaching, is no longer approaching. Saints of God, it is here! It is the third day (millennium) of the Church and the seventh day (millennium) of/since creation. It is the day when we will come into the unity of the faith, seeing exactly what our Lord is seeing, hearing exactly what He is hearing and as a result, doing exactly what He is doing. We will fully and completely become the extension of Him. We will fully and completely recognize Him as our Head and we will fully and completely function as His Body.

This is what the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles is about. God is beginning to tabernacle with His people in such a way that there is becoming no difference between us and Him.

God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 John 4:16-17

This is our position becoming our experience. Glory to God!

Surely we were born for such a time as this!

Hallelujah!

Chapter One Hundred Eight

The Feasts of God

Tabernacles

God Dwelling (Tabernacling) with and in His People

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Revelation 21:1-3 (emphasis added)

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22

Revelation 21:1-3 is a prophetic picture of Ephesians 2:19-22. It is the fulfillment of the prayer Jesus prayed for all believers in the seventeenth chapter of John’s account of the gospel.

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

John 17:21

God has dwelt with and in His people since the first person was born again (born from above) but Revelation 21:1-3 is about a greater manifestation of this reality than has been known and experienced during the Church Age, as the Church has experienced the prophetic fulfillment of Passover and Pentecost.

Tabernacles is about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit being fully developed in a people; not only taking up residence in His people, but actually living His life in and through them.

Unity will not and cannot become a reality for the Church until this truth becomes a reality. When God fully indwells His people they will look, act and be just like Him. They will see only what He sees and hear only what He says. They will be of one mind because they will literally have the mind of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 2:16).

And what is ultimately the mind of Christ?

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:5-8

Only those who have died to self will experience Tabernacles. During the Church Age we have only partially died to self, thus requiring us to die daily as the apostle Paul said he did (see 1 Corinthians 15:31). The fulfillment of Tabernacles (God dwelling fully in His people) will remove the need to die daily. We will once and for all time have died to self, enabling God to continually live His life in and through us.

Saints of God, this is our destiny. This is our future and what a glorious future it is!

While none of us has yet arrived at this destiny, some of us are beginning to taste of it. Some of us are getting a glimpse of it.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

Surely we were born for such a time as this!

Chapter One Hundred Nine

The Feasts of God

Tabernacles

That the World May Believe

The glory which thou gavest me I have given them [believers]; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Jesus in John 17:22-23 (emphasis added)

Tabernacles is about God tabernacling (dwelling) in Jesus and Jesus tabernacling (dwelling) in us. By the same token, Jesus dwells in God and we dwell in Him. In essence, we are one and the same; God, Jesus and us.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 John 4:15-17

Saints, this is unity. The prayer that Jesus prayed two thousand years ago and John had a revelation of will come to pass as the Feast of Tabernacles is fulfilled in this new day (millennium) we are now entering. That prayer includes not only the unity we share with God and with Jesus but the unity all believers will come into with each other.

It is this unity that will be the manifestation (revelation) of God’s love to the world. This is the manifestation of the Sons of God (see Romans 8:19) that will cause the earth to be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord (see Habakkuk 2:14).

The world will not miss it or be able to deny it. Love has that effect. Unadulterated, genuine love cannot be ignored or dismissed. It is a force that will accomplish all it is sent to do. Love never fails (see 1 Corinthians 13:8).

Unity in the Body of Christ is about much more than believers coming into agreement. It is about the salvation of all people (see 1 Timothy 2:4) and the restitution of all things (see Acts 3:21).

This is the fulfillment of the first command God made at the time of creation when he said, “Light be (see Genesis 1:3).”

In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not [was unable to extinguish it].

John 1:1-5

The light of men is Jesus and all His life entails. He is the light of the world (see John 8:12/9:5/12:46). Because we are one with Him, we too are the light of the world (see Matthew 5:14).

Light dispels darkness and reveals the truth. As darkness is driven from the earth, true love will be revealed. As true love is revealed, the world will realize there is only one hope and one way to salvation. And ultimately, the nations will become the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus and His Christ (anointed ones/the Body of Christ) (see Revelation 11:15).

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles [nations] shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Isaiah 60:1-3

Chapter One Hundred Ten

The Feasts of God

Tabernacles

The Feast of Rejoicing

Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: and thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.

Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (emphasis added)

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4:4

Just being born again and having a relationship with the Lord is reason enough to rejoice. But the prospect of the coming fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles and all it entails should inspire us to rejoice with greater exuberance than ever before.

A few years ago I attended a conference in an auditorium that seated about 1,200 people. On the last night of the conference there was standing room only as the band on stage began to lead praise and worship. As the momentum built that night and the volume of the crowd increased as we praised and worshipped the Lord in one accord, eventually the amplified band on stage could not be heard. I had never experienced a crowd of worshippers quite that loud.

With my voice joining in with the others, I began to smell rain. Then I began to feel huge drops of water raining down on me. I looked up, thinking it must be raining outside and the roof must be leaking, only to realize I wasn’t getting wet and there was no visible rain coming down.

As I looked around I began seeing gold dust appearing on people all around me as they were enraptured in the glory of the Lord and His presence was being felt in the room in tangible ways.

I have had similar experiences during times of worship but not in a crowd that large. It was an incredible experience, to say the least.

As I often say and have said many times, I believe intimate worship, including times of praise and great rejoicing are becoming the hallmark of the Bride of Christ.

Often, like that night at the conference, God shows up in power as signs, wonders and miracles manifest. But witnessing signs, wonders and miracles is not our reason for rejoicing with exuberant praise and worship.

We worship God simply because we adore Him. As we progress from the second prophetic fulfillment of Pentecost into the second prophetic fulfillment of Tabernacles, I am becoming more and more in awe of Him and His plans and purposes for mankind and all of His creation.

I don’t know how I could love Him anymore than I did the day I was born again, but somehow my love for Him seems to continually increase.

I keep falling in love with Him over and over and over and over…

Saints, this is what Tabernacles is about. Can anyone fathom the love of God? Can anyone love Him enough?

Tabernacles is the revelation of the love of God.

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Psalm 103:1

Surely, absolutely and without a doubt, we were born for such a time as this!

Chapter One Hundred Eleven

The Feasts of God

Tabernacles

Revealing the Multifaceted Bride of Christ

Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?

Solomon’s Song 6:10

When the dawn of a new day arrives, the sun peaks over the horizon looking ahead toward all that new day will reveal. So it is with the Bride of Christ, as we enter this new day (millennium/see 2 Peter 3:8) on the timeline of history.

On God’s calendar the day begins at evening. Like the moon, the Bride lights up the night that begins the new day. Her light is soft and fair, easing creation toward the dawn and the rising of the sun.

She is as clear as the sun in its brightness. As the new day dawns she will light all of creation, making it impossible for anyone with eyes to see, not to see.

But as beautiful as she is, fair and bright in her glorious countenance, she is also a terrible war machine going forth to do battle.

And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

Isaiah 30:25-26

On September 11, 2001, when the towers fell in New York City, something shifted in the spirit realm and everything changed forever. Since 9-11 the world has witnessed that change among the politics and nations of the world, with the rise of radical Islam in concert with the potential for a world takeover by Communist China, plus the globalist agenda, led by very wealthy and powerful people who think it is their destiny to rule the world, thrusting us into a world-wide war unlike any wars of the past.

Those of us in the Body of Christ who are becoming the Remnant Bride of Christ are witnessing and becoming a part of another great change that parallels what is taking place on the world stage, as we transition from the Church Age into the Kingdom Age and from the prophetic fulfillment of Pentecost during the Church Age into the prophetic fulfillment of Tabernacles during the Kingdom Age.

We have crossed a line of demarcation on the timeline of history and nothing will ever be the same again.

From the time that Israel came out of Egypt until Solomon began to build the temple in Jerusalem was a period of 480 years (see 1 Kings 6:1). 40 is a Biblical number for preparation. Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness preparing to enter the Promised Land. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for His ministry. 12 represents government. There were 12 tribes of Israel. Jesus appointed 12 apostles that became the foundation of the Apostolic Church in the first century. 12x40=480.

So, it was 480 years from the time that Israel came out of the bondage of slavery until Solomon began to build the temple that became known for the manifested presence and glory of God; which was made possible by Israel’s time of preparation and the government (Solomon’s kingdom, which he inherited from his father, David) that was ordained of God.

From the time that Martin Luther refused to recant his 95 Thesis in 1521 until 2001 is another period of 480 years. In 1521 the Church began to come out of the bondage of slavery to religion. I believe that in 2001 the Church entered into a time of preparation that will bring us to completion or fullness. God is birthing His temple in us and like the temple that Solomon built, we are becoming known for His manifested presence and the glory of God. We are becoming a people of worship. The Islamic attacks on the United States in 2001 appear to be an attempt by Satan to abort the birthing of this new time we are entering into but I believe those attacks were a line of demarcation, signifying a time of testing for the Church and the world, necessary to birth this new time we are entering into.

True spiritual worship ushers in the presence and the glory of God. We are becoming a habitation of God through the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 2:22).

Becoming a habitation of God through the Holy Spirit has not been an easy journey for us. God will not allow any flesh to glory in His presence (see 1 Corinthians 1:29). We have been going through a process (preparation) of dying to self so that we can live entirely for Him, becoming like Him. The end result will be a place of perfect rest and peace, positioning a people that will usher in the Kingdom (government) of God on Earth as it is in Heaven, glory to God!

There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God.

Hebrews 4:9

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Isaiah 30:26 speaks of the sun being sevenfold, as the light of seven days. We are barely into the seventh day (millennium) of/since creation, which is the ultimate Sabbath rest that remains for the people of God. Already we of the Remnant Bride are beginning to shine like the sun, exposing all that is not of God in the world and the Church, lighting the way for all that will follow, which will be the most glorious time in history so far.

But we are also going forth as a mighty army, destroying everything that is not of God as the Kingdom rises to its place of power and authority when we will reign with Christ over the nations of the world.

However, we are more than a fair and glorious maid or a mighty army. We are the New Jerusalem, that glorious city that is currently ascending into the heavenlies (see Ephesians 2:6) so that in the fullness of times we can descend back to Earth (metaphorically speaking) to become the capital of the Kingdom of God.

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.

Revelation 21:9-10

Surely we were born for such a time as this!

Chapter One Hundred Twelve

The Feasts of God

Tabernacles

Revealing the New Jerusalem

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

Revelation 21:9-11

Sometimes things we see in visions can be taken literally, but much of the time they are symbolic. I think we have tried to make too much of John’s Revelation of Jesus Christ literal rather than symbolic, as it was intended to be received when it was shown to John.

New Jerusalem is not a literal city with a geographic location where it will one day set down on Earth. New Jerusalem is a picture of the Bride of Christ, full of symbolism (read the entire 21st chapter of Revelation).

Let me go a step further. While there may be plans to rebuild the temple in geographic Jerusalem and many believers are expecting that to happen, the next and last temple is already in the process of being built. But it is not a physical structure, it is a people. It is a part of the New Jerusalem. Like New Jerusalem, it is the Bride of Christ.

As we enter and experience the prophetic fulfillment of Trumpets and Atonement, the Bride is being prepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb.

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Revelation 19:6-9

The marriage of the Bride (New Jerusalem) to the Lamb is a picture of Tabernacles. It is the consummation of the prayer Jesus prayed in the 17th chapter of John’s account of the Gospel.

It is our destiny because saints of the Remnant, we were born for such a time as this!

All glory to God!

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