Jesus celebrates His birthday

Last December 25th I was meditating when I heard Jesus crying. Jesus crying!  I said, “Lord, why are you crying?” He said that too many  people are not celebrating His birth. He told me that they took “Christ” out of Christmas and put an “X” .

I tried to console Jesus and reminded Him that a lot of people love Him. He was not so easily appeased. He told me that a lot of people do not even worship Him on that day. I reminded Him of people in places that I know who do worship Him collectively on December 25th. That made Him happy, but He told me that He wants people to worship Him in celebration of His birth.

This was a very interesting vision and I spent a considerable time giving Him worship.

Have a great day!

The horns on the Lamb meant that He was full of oil

I’ve been speaking about the seven horns on the Lamb and documented by Apostle John in Rev 5: 6:

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth

In addition to holiness and cleansing, might and the fragrance of the Lord as well as the saints, the horns carry other meanings:

 

1. Horns were used by Prophets and Priests to carry oil 

•      God told Prophet Samuel to “fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons” (1 Sam 16: 1). Samuel obeyed, took the horn of oil, anointed David  “and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward” (1 Sam 16: 13)
• Zadok the Priest used a horn of oil from the tabernacle to anoint Solomon as King over Israel (1 Kings 1: 39). Moses also poured the holy  oil of anointing on Aaron’s head when he was dedicated as High Priest and also sprinkled it on him and his sons (Ex 29: 7, 2; Lev 8: 12, 30). Maybe this oil was carried in horns.
• The anointing of oil was a crown on the individual. In the case of the priests, God said that they were not to leave the tabernacle because the “crown of the anointing oil of his God” was on him.  
• Other people were anointed for a particular service, for example Aaron and his sons, Saul and David (Lev 10: 7; 1 Sam 10: 1; 1 Sam 16: 13)
• Holy anointing oil was used by the priests in the cleansing of lepers and other sick were anointed with oil for healing (Lev 14; James 5: 14).
• The Spirit of God came on those who were anointed with oil, as recorded in the case of David when he was anointed to be King of Israel (1 Sam 16: 13). 
• Oil meant the joy of the Lord (Isa 61: 3).

Jesus is the fullness of God, carrying all of the anointing of God in Him. In fact, a cross reference with Zechariah 4 shows that the oil also flows from Him and the Two Olive Trees  into the church. Blessings and stay connected!

What are those horns on the Lamb?

While Zechariah was shown that Jesus the stone had seven eyes, Apostle John was shown that He also wore seven horns:

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth (Rev 5: 6).

The symbolism of horns in scripture

• The Holiness of God, Cleansing and holiness (Ex 29: 10; 30: 10) - This was shown through the four horns that were built on the ALTAR OF SACRIFICE in the tabernacle in the wilderness. When the Priests were consecrated for service in the temple, God told Moses to consecrate the altar initially by placing the blood of a bullock on the its (Ex 29: 12). The High Priests were also commanded to make a yearly atonement on the horns with the blood of the animal offered for the sins of the people.

         An atonement is a covering, a purging for sins. I believe that the altar of sacrifice represented the Lord Jesus who became the atonement for our sins. Apostle Paul beautifully explained these truths in Hebrews 9: 6- 28.

We are also requested to offer our lives as living sacrifices that are holy and acceptable to God

 

• The fragrance of the Lord and of the  saints’ prayers and lives (Ex 37: 25-26; Lev 4: 7)- There was also an altar of incense with four horns that stood in front of the vail. A sacrifice of sweet incense was offered every morning and evening and a yearly atonement was made here once a year. We know from Revelation that the prayers of the saints ascend to God in the smoke of incense (Rev 8: 3-4). However, God will accept prayers from clean lives.

• The might of the Lord and the strength of the saints (1 Kings 22: 11; Deut 33: 17; Zech 1: 21) – Horns also represent might in battle, overcoming strength. The saints are also mighty in God. Jesus is seen here as the Mighty God.

Blessings and more to come!

The stone with seven eyes

In the last post I wrote about the possible symbolism of the stone which God laid in front of Joshua the High Priest. Today I would like to explore the symbolism of the eyes on the stone:

For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts… (Zech 3: 9).

1. The meaning of the eyes on the stone

A. ‘Ayin is the Hebrew word used for eyes and can be dually translated as:

• physical eye
• mental and spiritual qualities

B. Scriptures which indicate that the Lord seesthe condition of the people on the earth with His eyes. For example, in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord came down from heaven to investigate. He was really giving them the benefit of the doubt by investigating before destroying the sinful cities. We know this because God said that the cry of the city was great and their sin grievous ( Gen 18: 20).

The eyes of the Lord run through the earth (2 Chron 16: 9) and He also keeps His eyes on the righteous (Ps 34: 15).

Scriptures also show that people also did either evil or good in the eyes or sight of the Lord (1 Kings 15: 5; 1 Kings 16: 25).

C. What is the meaning of the eyes in Zech 3: 9?

Since I believe that Jesus is the stone referred to in this verse, I explored the use of eyes as the mental and spiritual qualities of the Lord. This is paralleled by Revelation 5: 6 in which Apostle John spoke of Jesus as:

“a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth”.  

Ophthalmos is the Greek word used in Revelation for “eyes” and is translated metaphorically as the eyes of the mind, the faculty of knowing. The eyes that John saw represented the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. I believe that the seven spirits of God refer to “the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one”(Strongs in blueletterbible.org)

D. The seven spirits of God in Jesus

Prophet Isaiah documented the fruit of the Spirit in Jesus the BRANCH, the stone in Isaiah 11: 1. These are what Apostle John called the Seven Spirits of God:

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears (discernment)

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked (righteousness).

And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins (righteousness and faithfulness).

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them (peace).

The Spirit of God will produce fruit in the life of those who trust in the Rock. No man can change the engraving which God placed on the Jesus. I believe that there is more truth to be discovered in relation to the seven eyes on the stone. Until then, let’s pray that God will produce these fruit in our lives as we gaze on the stone.

Blessings!

The stone with seven eyes

The Lord made another revelation to Prophet Zechariah with the words:

For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day (Zech 3: 9).

The New King James version translates this with these words:

For behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua: Upon the stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its inscription, Says the LORD of hosts, ‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

Context

The Lord had just restored the High Priest Joshua to his place and had promised to make him great if he would walk in the ways of the Lord. 

The Stone

• Translated as ‘eben, which means a plummet (stone of destruction), precious stone, tool for work.
• Is it a literal stone or symbolic of something? It could be symbolic.
• It was laid in front of Joshua, indicated that he was able to look at it.

Possible symbolisms

• The High Priests’ garments were encrusted with 12 stones engraved with the names of the tribes which reminded God about His promise when they appeared before Him to make the yearly atonement (Ex 28: 12).
• The prophets symbolically referred to Jesus as “the stone which the builders refused” (Ps 118: 22), a tried and true and precious cornerstone which was laid in Zion (Isa 28: 16).   Apostles Paul and Peter explained that this cornerstone was Jesus (Eph 2: 20; 1 Pet 2: 6).
• Jesus told Peter that the church was built on Himself (the Lord), who was its rock or firm foundation (Mt 16: 18).

Parallels in scripture

1. The Prophet was told that the stone had seven eyes. In order to understand this, we  need to go to Revelation 5: 6, where Apostle John stood before Jesus the stone:

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

2. Jesus is the ROCK and chief cornerstone of His church.

The High Priest Joshua  was in a situation related to the restoration of the  physical temple made with hands, but God was prophesying to him about the Eternal Church, whose Chief Stone or foundation was Jesus. He is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the earth for the Redemption of our sins. He would later become the Great High Priest, making the sacrifice of animals and role of the High Priest obselete.

This is really a message of eternal hope and love.

I hope to deal with the seven eyes on the stone when I return. Blessings!

Alastair’s question on the Laws of Prominence and Equivalence

March 13, 2008 at 6:57 am  

Can you tell me what the “Law of prominence” is, I am reading your posts about angels with interest but I don’t know what this is or what it measn.

Thanks, cheers

Alastair. 

March 13, 2008 at 7:11 am   

Hi again this time I would like to know what is the “law of equivalency”, I am enjoying reading your back isues on angels, Keep up the great work.
Cheers
Alastair

I replied:

Hello Alastair

Thanks for visiting as well as for your comments.

Dictionary.reference.com defines the word prominent “as standing out so as to be seen easily; conspicuous; particularly noticeable”.

When referred to these two Princes, the Law of Prominence means that they stand out in scriptures because they are the only two angels named out of the innumerable company that is the Lord’s.

The Law of Equivalency shows that Princes Michael and Gabriel are equal to each other in significance, power, authority etc. This is shown by the fact that they both stand in the presence of the God of the whole earth. Additionally, they play critical and important roles in the earth and against satan. Hope this was more helpful.

Blessings.
Mercedes

The BRANCH is connected to the trees

I had planned to write about the stone with seven eyes, but this understanding was gi ven to me Wednesday 2nd April at 11.45 a.m.  Yesterday, I wrote about the BRANCH, who would spring forth  and build the temple or church of God.

Where does the BRANCH originate?

Zechariah was shown a picture of the tree that Jesus is a part of in the vision of chapter 4. This tree imagery was really shown to him in a mystery which I hope that I understand for the most:

1. He saw a gold candlestick or lampstand with a bowl at the top
2. Seven lamps were on the bowl
3. each lamp had seven spouts

Parallels:Apostle John also saw Jesus in the midst of seven golden candlesticks which were shown to be the 7 churches of in Revelation 1. I believe that one interpretation is that the seven lamps seen by Zechariah represent the church and that Jesus is represented by the gold lampstand with the bowl on the top.

His church is always connected to Him.

4. Zechariah saw two olive trees connected to the bowl. We already know the identity of these two olive trees.

5. Each olive tree has a pipe that is connected to the bowl, although this is not directly stated here.  We know that they are connected to the bowl since these two angels or Olive Trees were connected to the mercy seat in Moses’ tabernacle:

One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof (Ex 37: 8).

The New Living Translation said that the cherubims “… were made so they were actually a part of the atonement cover-it was all one piece”.

There is more significance here in relation to the anointing oil that is shared by the two Olive Trees and the BRANCH, but we will discuss this later. Here we see the unity of God and the divine connection to the church.

Alastair asked a very important question about the Laws of Prominence and Equivalence. The answer is shared  in the  post immediately following this one. Please read on.

The Lord prophesied about the BRANCH

In the vision of Zechariah 3, the Lord/Angel of the Lord  prophesied to Zechariah about the BRANCH. This is one example of the Lord speaking about the Lord:

“Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH” (Zech 3: 8).

The Lord asked Zechariah to tell High Priest Joshua about the qualities of the Branch, who He further  described  as:

• His servant (v 8). According to Strong’s, while the word “servant” can refer to a slave, it refers to Jesus as God’s Minister or Ambassador in the context of Zech 3: 8.
• A man (Zech 6: 12)
• One who will grow up out of His place (Zech 6: 12). In other words, He will spring forth
• He will build the temple of the Lord/build the church (Zech 6: 13).
• He shall bear the glory or bear royal honor, according to the New Living Translation (Zech 6: 13).
• He will rule on His throne and also serve in a priestly role on His throne (Zech 6: 12).
• He will rule as Prince of Peace (Zech 6: 12).

 Jesus is therefore revealed in diverse roles – as Apostle, Chief Bishop of His church, Great High Priest, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace.

Why was this prophecy about the BRANCH important?

• Joshua the High Priest was encompassed by infirmities and unable to carry out his role due to the captivity. The BRANCH would come forth full of the Spirit of God to build an eternal temple  and deliver His people (Isa 11; Jer 23: 5; 33: 15).

Blessings and have a great day.

Zechariah 3 reveals the power of relationship with God

Two days ago I wrote about the parallels between the Zechariah 3 and Jude 1: 9, 10. Today I would like to discuss several other truths revealed in Zechariah’s vision:

1. The Lord forgave the sins of the High Priest

Similar to the vision of Isaiah 6, the Lord forgave the sins of the High Priest, and that of the nation of Israel by extension.  He also clothed the Priest in clean garments. This was very symbolic since the High Priest was the higest spiritual authority in Israel, standing in the presence of God on behalf of the people.

He was the one who interceded for the people. However, the High Priest had lost this authority on behalf of the people during the years of captivity, since he himself was encompassed with infirmities, as symbolized by his dirty clothing.  He was unable to bring the people out of captivity by the authority of his position on earth. The true intercessors were the prophets such as Daniel, Zechariah and others like him.

This revelation in Zechariah 3 is important for the church today. The people of God need leaders who are clean and not dabbling in sin. Unclean leaders lose their ability to deliver anyone from bondage. The people of God need leaders who are true intercessors and not just figure heads in the church.

2. Zechariah reveals that prophets participate in the restoration of nations

 (Zechariah 3: 5). The prophet of God took the initiative to ask the angels around to put a crown on the high Priest’s head:

And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. 

Who gave the Prophet the authority to take the initiative? He knew that the anointing on the priests was the crown of the anointing oil of God (Lev 21: 12) was on the Priest and that this was a fitting part of his restoration. This was done with the approval of the Angel of the Lord (the Lord Himself).  

This action and approval reveal the favor and authority which the Prophet held in the heavenlies. God promised the restoration of this favor and authority to the High Priest. This depended on him keeping the ways of the Lord. GOd told him that he would be  given “…places to walk among these that stand by” (Zech 3: 7).

Who were those standing by? Satan was one and angels of the Lord also stood by. The angels obeyed Zechariah’s request without hesitation, knowing that he held favor and was a participant in the deliverance of the nation from captivity.

Do you get response when you rebuke the enemy? Do angels respond to your requests? Are you a friend of God’s? Do you have power with God? If your focus is on holding positions in the church and not on relationship with God, then you may very well be in a position similar to that of the High Priest – clothed with garments of sin, bound by the enemy and unable to loose anyone from his captivity.

Do you need a Zechariah in your life? Better yet, you need to stand with God to loose captives. This place of power comes from relationship – knowing God’s face and not just His power.

Let’s seek His face and obtain the favor that comes to those who diligently seek Him. I pray that God will bless you as you seek  Him.

Parallels between the angel of the Lord in Zechariah 3 and Jude

I was shown a very fascinating parallel between the revelation given to Zechariah in chapter 3 and Jude 1: 9,10. I discussed the latter in the post

http://thelordsangels.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/apostle-jude-shows-that-chief-prince-michael-contends-for-the-faith/

The vision that Prophet Zechariah saw is a startling revelation about the role that God plays in the defense of the Jews and of His people by extension. I would like to propose that the angel of the Lord seen in the vision is Prince Michael, given previous  revelations of His role as the Defender of the Jewish people.  Here are some important truths related to the vision:

1. The context of the vision (Zech 1 and 2)

Zechariah was a captive in Babylon during the 70 years of the Jewish captivity. God had shown  him (chapters 1 and 2), that he was tell the Jews to return to Him. He also saw the angel of the Lord (Zech 1: 12-18) interceding for the Jews’ release from the captivity. The Lord promised in return to release His people and to restore Jerusalem, particularly the house of worship. This vision seemed to have occured close to the end of the period of captivity.

2. The participants of the vision of Chap 3

The participants were Joshua the High Priest, the angel of the Lord (later identified as the Lord in Zech 3: 2 and most likely Prince Michael), Satan, Prophet Zechariah and other heavenly inhabitants.

3. The location of the vision

Based on the scenario, I believe that the vision took place in the tabernacle in heaven, corresponding to the Holy of Holies on earth. This was a siginficant event in the lives of the Jews since the High  Priest was involved. He entered once a year into the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle in order to offer sacrifices for himself and the people. This was symbolized by Joshua’s position in the vision, since he stood before the Lord.

Satan  is also a key participant in the vision, standing at the right hand of the High Priest to oppose the Lord’s plan to restore the worship  of God in the earth through the restoration of the Jews. He takes a position at the right hand, a symbol of power and authority.  He is a resister, but the Lord again shows us how to resist the devil so that he will flee:

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him

And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

Satan functions in the role of an accuser, since the Lord responded to his opposition by standing on His word, reminding the devil that the Jews were His chosen people and telling him that they had been forgiven. He also demonstrated the restoration of the High Priest for reinforcement. This scenario is parallel with Job 1 and 2  in which satan appeared before God in a similar role to accuse and harm Job.

4. The Lord appears in the vision as the angel of the Lord

I wrote previously the Lord appears in scripture as the angel of the Lord and this is clearly seen in Zech 3.  It is revealed by the key role that the angel of the Lord plays in the resistance of the devil andtje  restoration of the Jews and the High Priest. He may also be the angel of the Lord who Zechariah saw standing in the myrtle trees, being the same one who interceded to the Lord for the restoration of the Jews (Zech 1: 8- 17).

This is revealed in a rather convoluted manner in Zechariah chapter 1:

• Zechariah saw a man riding on a red horse who stood among  the myrtle trees. He was accompanied by other angels in the armies of the Lord (Zech 1: 8).
• He is identified as the angel of the Lord who rides through the earth to determine the condition of the inhabitants. This confirms that God Himself visits the earth in fact finding missions in much the same way that He did when investigating the  sins of Sodom and Gomorrah (Zech 1:  10, 11).
• The angel of the Lord interceded for Jerusalem (Zech 1: 12). I believe that  He was Prince Michael, the Great Prince of the Jews?
• He spoke to another member of the God family who responded with good and comfortable words, soothing His cries for the people who He loves (Zech 1: 13).
• The angel of the Lord, the Lord Himself, then gave Zechariah the command to prophesy to the Jews about their restoration (Zech 1: 14-17).
• The Lord is revealed in the vision as the Lord of Hosts, more than capable of resisting the attacks and opposition of the devil to His prophetic word (Zech 1: 8, 3: 7)

5. The Lord’s role in restoration of the Jews

The Lord completed the promise of restoration by demonstrating it to the devil:

Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 

He also told the High Priest that a three fold blessing would come with repentance- He would judge/rule His house, keep His courts, and  walk in a position of influence among these that stand by (Zech 3: 7).

Conclusion

God is forever faithful to His word. His people have been called with a high calling and can go into captivity when they forsake Him.  Those who stand in His presence on the behalf of His people have a serious charge to remain unspotted from sin. God considers the care of His house to be one of utmost importance as revealed in Zech 3: 7.

He is Lord of the whole earth. No weapon formed against us will prosper if we walk in His ways. I hope that you were encouraged today. Blessings.