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Law-based Church
Jude 1:5
5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord,
having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those
who did not believe.
The Lord had saved a multitude of the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.
All the males who were numbered from twenty years old and above were six hundred
and three thousand five hundred and fifty. Nonetheless, the Lord had also destroyed
the majority who did not believe (including the ten spies who brought the bad
report). Only Joshua and Caleb might enter the land of Canaan.
The figure ‘ten’ refers to the law. That is to say, law-based church
with the following signs:
- not holding fast to the word of God
- not prioritizing the word = making temptations/the sound of flesh greater
than the word of God
- not relying on Holy Spirit but intelligence, strength, riches, and experiences
Such service system rouses up complaints and ends in destruction as carcasses.
Previously we have learned law-based church in the New Testament written in
John 2:19-21
19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three
days I will raise it up."
20 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty–six years to build this
temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"
21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
forty-six = 46
4 refers to the four commandments on the first tablet of stone and 6 to the
six commandments on the second one.
Thus, the “forty-six” points to the two tablets of stone / the ten
commandments, that is to say, law-based church. Such service system brings on
the spirit of trade, since there is no priority to the word of God. Animals
sacrificed (oxen, sheep, and doves) symbolize the Sacrifice of Christ. They
were sold; meaning there is no more appreciation of the Sacrifice of Christ.
Today we learn more about buying and selling which happens in the temple of
God related to the three objects in Holy Place.
Table of Showbread (http://gptkk.org/mrs-en.php)
John 2:14-16
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves,
and the moneychangers doing business.
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple,
with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers?money and overturned
the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not
make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!"
It should have been bread on the table, not money. Money substituted for bread;
meaning churchgoers seek no more word but money/profits. Therefore, we have
to take heed to this, especially for pastors and Sunday school teachers –
seeing that no child was saved in the days of Noah. Let us prioritize the word
this day that money will not be on the table.
Golden Candlestick (http://gptkk.org/pelita-en.php)
Matthew 21:12
12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who
bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers
and the seats of those who sold doves.
The seats point to priest’s offices; a dove symbolizes Holy Spirit (Matthew
3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and
behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove and alighting upon Him.).
The seats of those who sold doves; showing there is no more anointing and gift
of Holy Spirit in connection with the priest’s offices. For example, a
priest office is given to a man due to his riches and acquaintanceship. Such
is called office trade.
Golden Altar of Incense (http://gptkk.org/dupa-en.php)
John 2:16
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away!
Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!"
Matthew 21:13
13 And He said to them, "It is written, ‘My house shall be
called a house of prayer,?but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.?
There was no more love, only thieves.
The three objects above denote shepherding service system. Sheep that are not
shepherded will be scattered and consumed by beasts. On the other hand, the
pastor of shepherded sheep will face the beasts.
In John 2, Jesus made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple;
Jesus sanctified the temple of God, which signifies our lives, from trade. Therefore,
it is important to hear the teaching word which is like a beating whip and a
piercing sword that indeed hurt our flesh.
Here is the sanctification at work.
Table of Showbread (http://gptkk.org/mrs-en.php)
the tables of the moneychangers were overturned = the table of showbread was
cleansed. Table symbolizes heart. Thus, if the heart is sanctified from money,
we must continue steadfastly in Bible Study Service. It is important to fill
this heart with the word, not just money, lest we love and worship money.
How to fill our heart with the word?
James 1:19-22
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow
to speak, slow to wrath;
20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive
with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
- Verse 19 - Being swift to hear and understand the teaching word
The term “swift” refers to competition – for we compete
with antichrist whose wings are very fast.
If we are not swift to hear the word, antichrist will be faster to fill money
in our heart.
Today is the due time to hear teaching word, not milk anymore.
Hebrews 5:11-13
11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become
dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach
you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to
need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness,
for he is a babe.
Lest we become dull and complain about the teaching word – even if it
is long and sharp.
Milk symbolizes the word of gospel to bring new believers in Jesus Christ
to the salvation of the Lord, but those who have been saved must be swift
to hear and grow up in teaching word.
- Believing and being sure of the word
James 1:21
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and
receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
It is a matter of heart. A meek heart must believe and be sure of the teaching
word and grow up faith. In such a manner, there shall be no place in heart
for money, since faith is greater than money. Faith can bring money but money
cannot bring faith. Above all, faith can bring salvation (“He who believes
in the Son of God will be saved.”). If we reject the word, however,
money / mammon / antichrist will fill our heart and salvation be gone.
- Practicing the word
James 1:22
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
The practiced word will become our flesh and blood. In reality, we lack of
practicing the word. The late Rev. In Juwono always said that teaching word
is practical; meaning we have to practice it soon after we receive it because
it becomes our flesh and blood.
Provided the word has become our flesh and blood, we will not deceive ourselves;
meaning we will confess our sins.
1 John 1:8
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us.
If the word has become our flesh and blood, we will always blame ourselves
(not the others, the doctrine, or God) and confess sins. Quarrels and divorce
frequently go off because the word is not implanted in the couple. Thus, there
will be no divorce but unity if the word of God becomes our flesh and blood.
Besides, false teachers and liars will not deceive us.
Students of Lempin-El, if God’s word becomes flesh and blood because of
being practiced, it will be strength that none may deceive you. The table is
full of the word, not of money. Youth, you will not be deceived in the matter
of marriage. Many are deceived in the beginning of marriage because it has no
bread.
Golden Candlestick (http://gptkk.org/pelita-en.php)
the seats of those who sold doves were overturned = the golden candlestick was
cleansed = we continue steadfastly in General by which Holy Spirit will cause
our lamps to burn continually and give us a sincere heart (a dove symbolizes
sincerity). Do not let the darkness of the world swallow up our bright future!
Lest we sink in the darkness of sin or in the darkness of economy! We need light,
therefore.
Sincerity is needed for the work of ministry for we cannot serve God with unseriousness
or bitterness.
“Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
If doves are sold, we become serpents biting and poisoning the others.
What do serpents mean?
John 8:44
44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father
you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in
the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks
from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
- Serpents are liars – but doves are the upright
We must be honest anywhere, anytime, and in any situation.
- Serpents are murderers or haters
No hatred, bitterness, and revenge are permitted.
Do not let the blessings of God that someone else have make a jealousy in
our heart because it is a serpent even in shepherding.
Besides, sincerity means expecting no reward:
- considering ourselves unprofitable
- demanding no right, only doing our duty
Luke 17:10
10 "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you
are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what
was our duty to do.?
Husbands and wives must do their own duties according to the word that wives
have to submit their husbands and husbands have to love their wives. If both
demand one another, the marriage must be broken up.
Provided we do our duty in sincerity, the Lord will save our right and none
will complain against us. Surely some will complain, but the Lord will deal
harshly with them.
Let us now sanctify the Table of Shewbread through the patience in Bible Study
Service. Do not be bored because of the long time but enjoy and receive the
teaching word until it becomes our flesh and blood. In such a manner, none may
deceive us. Besides, let us sanctify the Golden Candlestick until it always
shines and darkness may not enter it and our future is bright because we serve
God sincerely and our reward is in God’s hand.
Golden Altar of Incense (http://gptkk.org/dupa-en.php)
Matthew 21:13
13 And He said to them, "It is written, ‘My house shall be
called a house of prayer,?but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.?
God mourned for His House.
The golden altar of incense was sanctified that we continue steadfastly in Pray
and Worship Service.
- Worship is a process of tearing the flesh.
Where there is no flesh, there shall be no dwelling place for Satan.
When Satan made deal with God about Job, God said "Behold, all that he
has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person" meaning where
there is flesh, there shall be dwelling place for Satan. The tearing of flesh
makes there is no place for Satan.
- Worship is an expression of surrendering our body, soul, and spirit
to the Lord.
Before giving the whole life, we must give first tithes and special offerings,
the least offering.
Malachi 3:8-9
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In
what way have we robbed You??In tithes and offerings.
9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.
rob = steal = thieve
If we rob God’s possessions (tithes and special offerings), we will
become a den of thieves, not a house of prayer.
Continuing steadfastly in the three main services, we become a house of prayer
– a place to call the name of the Lord and find His mercy. A den of thieves,
however, is a place of sins prepared for destruction.
These are the results of being a house of prayer:
- Marvelous victory over enemies/troubles
King Hezekiah was besieged and cornered by Sennacherib king of Assyria. He
then came to the house of the Lord and spread before the Lord a letter of
reproach, as it was written “Who among all the gods of these lands have
delivered their countries from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem
from my hand??”
Isaiah 36:21
21 But they held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s
commandment was, "Do not answer him."
Better we worship God than quarrelling and contending with the others.
Isaiah 37:1, 14-17, 36
1 And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes,
covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read
it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the
LORD.
15 Then Hezekiah prayed to the LORD, saying:
16 "O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim,
You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven
and earth.
17 "Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see;
and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living
God.
36 Then the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians
one hundred and eighty–five thousand; and when people arose early in
the morning, there were the corpses––all dead.
A great multitude of the Assyrian – one hundred and eighty-five thousand
– symbolizes a great potentiality and magnificent power of the world.
Such is nothing to the mercy of God. We do not need to be afraid of the highly
competitive business. Just come to the house of prayer and let the mercy of
God work it out!
- the Mercy of God to resolve the deadlock and enable all the impossible.
Hezekiah was sick and near death. He wept bitterly and prayed earnestly and
the Lord had lengthened his days.
Isaiah 38:1-5
1 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet,
the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: ‘Set
your house in order, for you shall die and not live.?
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD,
3 and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You
in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight."
And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,
5 "Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David
your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely
I will add to your days fifteen years.
The things which are impossible with men are possible with God provided we
pray and wept earnestly.
In conclusion, we just need to rearrange the objects over which the spirit
of trade has dominated – so that we do not continue steadfastly anymore.
Have we continued steadfastly in the three main services?
- Table of Showbread / Bible Study Service
Whether we continue in Bible Study or not depends on what we fill into our
heart: money or the word.
- Golden Candlestick / Public Service / General
Satan will always prevent us from continuing in General by many kinds of occasion.
God had overturned the seats of those who sold doves that we may continue
steadfastly in General and serve God with sincerity. Our right is safe in
the Hands of the Lord.
- Golden Altar of Incense / Pray and Worship Service
Return God’s possessions and be a house of prayer! We by the mercy of
God will prevail over enemies and impossibilities.
Lazarus, for example, had died and fouled, but Mary bowed down and worshiped
God. As a result, the mercy of God revived and restored Lazarus.
John 11:32, 39, 43-44
32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at
His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would
not have died."
39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him
who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for
he has been dead four days."
43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus,
come forth!"
44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and
his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and
let him go."
What that has become rotten physically and spiritually until there is no hope,
God is able to heal now until the last. We are changed day by day through worship
until we become as glorious as He is. God bless you.
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