Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 7:15b-16
7:15 "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
7:16 "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat.
The activity of God on the throne of heaven is dwelling, spreading the wings, or giving His covering for us.
Who are the people who deserve to receive the covering of the wings of God?
Isaiah 54:2-3
54:2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes.
54:3 For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited.
Actually the people who get the opportunity to experience God's dwelling among them or the covering of His wing are Israelites, the chosen people of God Israel, or the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob physically as the core of the church of God.
But some of them rejected Jesus or His covering, so there is opportunity for us, the Gentiles to experience God's dwelling among us or His covering. It is the completeness of the church of God.
The example of the Gentiles who experienced the covering of the wings of God is Ruth.
Ruth 1:4
1:4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years.
Ruth 3:9,12
3:9 And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."
3:12 "Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.
Ruth 4:5-8
4:5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance."
4:6 And the close relative said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it."
4:7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandaland gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel.
4:8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." So he took off his sandal.
Ruth or the Gentiles need the covering of the wings of God or the redemption. Actually, there are two redeemers the first one had come first or he was closer than Boaz. Boaz refers to Jesus and the thing had come before Jesus is the Law. But, the Law cannot redeem her or the Gentiles because it was only for Israel. Therefore, the first man took off his sandal or gave up. He could not redeem, cover, and preserve, so the second redeemer, Boaz, or Jesus could come.
Matthew 3:8-11
3:8 "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
3:9 "and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
3:10 "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
No one is worthy to carry the sandals of Jesus, even John the Baptist or the greatest man in the world cannot loose the strap of His sandals.
John 1:27
1:27 "It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."
It refers to the seriousness and struggle of Jesus to redeem us and change the stone into the children of Abraham. He redeems the Gentiles until He willingly dies on the cross.
There are three kinds of covering of the wings of redemption to the Gentiles as follows:
God blesses you.
Revelation 7:15b-16
7:15 "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
7:16 "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat.
The activity of God on the throne of heaven is dwelling, spreading the wings, or giving His covering for us.
Who are the people who deserve to receive the covering of the wings of God?
Isaiah 54:2-3
54:2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes.
54:3 For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited.
Actually the people who get the opportunity to experience God's dwelling among them or the covering of His wing are Israelites, the chosen people of God Israel, or the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob physically as the core of the church of God.
But some of them rejected Jesus or His covering, so there is opportunity for us, the Gentiles to experience God's dwelling among us or His covering. It is the completeness of the church of God.
The example of the Gentiles who experienced the covering of the wings of God is Ruth.
Ruth 1:4
1:4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years.
Ruth 3:9,12
3:9 And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."
3:12 "Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.
Ruth 4:5-8
4:5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance."
4:6 And the close relative said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it."
4:7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandaland gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel.
4:8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." So he took off his sandal.
Ruth or the Gentiles need the covering of the wings of God or the redemption. Actually, there are two redeemers the first one had come first or he was closer than Boaz. Boaz refers to Jesus and the thing had come before Jesus is the Law. But, the Law cannot redeem her or the Gentiles because it was only for Israel. Therefore, the first man took off his sandal or gave up. He could not redeem, cover, and preserve, so the second redeemer, Boaz, or Jesus could come.
Matthew 3:8-11
3:8 "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
3:9 "and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
3:10 "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
No one is worthy to carry the sandals of Jesus, even John the Baptist or the greatest man in the world cannot loose the strap of His sandals.
John 1:27
1:27 "It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."
It refers to the seriousness and struggle of Jesus to redeem us and change the stone into the children of Abraham. He redeems the Gentiles until He willingly dies on the cross.
There are three kinds of covering of the wings of redemption to the Gentiles as follows:
- The covering of the wings of redemption from the characteristic of the Gentiles.
Ruth 2:11-12
2:11 And Boaz answered and said to her, "It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.
2:12 "The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge."
Ephesians 2:11-12
2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands.
2:12 that at that time you were without Christ,being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Godin the world.
It means the redemption from five 'without' as follows:- Without circumcision or sanctification which makes the Gentiles only live in sin up to the peak.
- Without Christ or the anointed one. It means being without the anointing of Holy Spirit, so the Gentiles only do the desire and the characteristic of the flesh with all of it lusts especially worry. The consequence of worrying is being unfaithful in the service and ministry to God, unrighteous, and disobedient, and always looking for their own way outside the word. It is a dead lock until perishing forever.
- Without promise or heaven. It means that there is only hell for them.
- Without hope. It means easily being proud of something in the world, hoping all things in the world, and being disappointed and hopeless.
- Without God or love. There are only anger, hatred, revenge, et cetera.
Without love, all things are useless and perishing. It means that there is no eternal life.
John 19:31-34
19:31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
19:32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him.
19:33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
The provision of the Sabbath is that there must be no hanging corpse. It must be buried. If one has been crucified, but he still has not been dead, his legs must be broken so he may die quickly. When Jesus was crucified together with two criminals, the soldier came and saw that Jesus had already been dead, so his legs were not broken.
So, we can conclude that Jesus actually has died on the cross with four main wounds, namely two on feet and two on hands. These main wounds are to redeem Israel. It is the love of God to redeem His people or Israel.
But, the fifth wound at his side which was speared is the greatest and the deepest one out of which water and blood came out. It is the mercy of God to redeem the Gentiles. If His side had not been speared, there would have been no redemption to the Gentiles.
So, the five main wounds of Jesus are to redeem the Gentiles from five characters of the Gentles or the five 'without'.
Matthew 3:8
3:8 "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.
The proof of the Gentiles' experiencing the redemption is that they must have the sign of blood and water.
The sign of blood refers to repentance. Repenting means stopping sinning and returning to God or we die to sin.
The sign of water refers to the water baptism. The true water baptism is that one who has believed Jesus and repented or died to sin must be baptized in water with Him and rise or come out from the tomb of water to get the new or the heavenly life, so the heaven is opened and Holy Spirit comes down.
Matthew 3:9,11
3:9 "and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire..
The new life means living in righteousness. It is the same as living by faith and becoming the descendants of Abraham spiritually.
Galatians 3:7
3:7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.
We are saved and blessed by God, so we have the right to get His blessings. The Gentiles and Israel become one perfect body of Christ. We become the heavenly bride who is ready to welcome His second coming on the glorious clouds.
Ephesians 2:13-16
2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
2:15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
2:16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. - Without circumcision or sanctification which makes the Gentiles only live in sin up to the peak.
- The covering of the wings of redemption at midnight or the one from the Antichrist who rules over the world for three and a half years.
Ruth 3:8-9
3:8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.
3:9 And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing,for you are a close relative."
Revelation 12:14
12:14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
Ruth, the Gentile, or the church of God is given two wings of a great eagle. The wings will fly us to the wilderness that is far away from the eye of the Antichrist who rules over the world for three and a half years. We are protected and preserved directly by God through the word of God and Holy Communion.
Ruth 3:1-3
3:1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?
3:2 "Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.
3:3 "Therefore wash yourselfand anoint yourself, put on your best garmentand go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man.
The requirements to experience the covering of the wings of the great eagle are as follows:- Washing ourselves or sanctification. It refers to the Table of Showbread or the perseverance in doing Bible Study Service and Holy Communion. We are washed and sanctified by the word and Holy Communion. We are fed, so we grow spiritually.
Ruth 3:10
3:10 Then he said, "Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.
We experience the sanctification from the desire of money, namely stinginess and greediness and the desire of uncleanness, namely the sins of eating-drinking and marrying-being given in marriage. If our heart is holy, our whole life is holy. - Anointing ourselves refers to the Golden Candlestick or the perseverance in doing General Service. We live in the anointing of Holy Spirit. The proof is that we are faithful like Ruth or the lamp is keeps on burning.
Ruth 2:7
2:7 "And she said, 'Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.' So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house."
The lamp also refers to the testimony, namely testifying through the good and righteous deeds and words which become blessing for other people, until we can repay good for evil.
Ruth 3:11
3:11 "And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. - Putting on our best garment refers to the Golden Altar of Incense or the perseverance in doing Prayer Service.
The Prayer Service refers to renewal or the process of life change from the old man to the new one like Jesus. It means that we take off the old garment and wear the new one.
Ruth3:18
3:18 Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day."
We experience the renewal, so we sit at the feet of Jesus or keep silent more, namely we do introspection in our life by hearing the word of God. If we find sin, we must confess it, but if we do not find it, we must keep silent. We are patient to wait the time of God to finish all things in His time.
- Washing ourselves or sanctification. It refers to the Table of Showbread or the perseverance in doing Bible Study Service and Holy Communion. We are washed and sanctified by the word and Holy Communion. We are fed, so we grow spiritually.
- The covering of the wings of redemption of the bridegroom.
Isaiah 54:5-8
54:5 For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.
54:6 For the LORD has called you Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, Like a youthful wife when you were refused," Says your God.
54:7 "For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you.
54:8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindnessI will have mercy on you," Says the LORD, your Redeemer.
It is the covering of redemption of everlasting kindness which is eternal forever and does not change in the past, now, and forever. God wants to redeem us by His everlasting kindness to make us become the perfect body of Christ or the perfect heavenly bride who is ready to welcome His second coming on the glorious clouds. We can enter the paradise, the One Thousand Years Kingdom of Peace, or the New Jerusalem until God covers us on His throne forever.
Our attitude is that we must learn from Moses.
Exodus 3:5-6
3:5 Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground."
3:6 Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father -- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
Moses took His sandals off his feet. It means that he wanted to experience the redemption or sanctification to his inward and outward man so he could appear like a newborn baby. The newborn baby does not sin or hope all things in the world, but only cries to God and hopes to His everlasting and miraculous kindness. We can show our weaknesses to God physically and spiritually until He has compassion on us. He will stretch His hands of miraculous and everlasting kindness for us.
The whole life of Moses was signified by being a newborn baby, so he was in the hand of God for sure.- Exodus 2:6
2:6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children."
The baby Moses wept or dragged the merciful hand of God to help him. He should have died in the river or in the hand of the pharaoh`s daughter. It refers to the impossible problems, there is no future life, difficulties, and sadness. But, the baby Moses cried, so the merciful hand of God was able to protect and preserve him in the midst of difficulties. He could live, even he became the son of king. It means that there is successful and beautiful future life and all things are finished. - Exodus 3:5
3:5 Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground."
During the life journey of Moses, he experienced the sanctification until he became like a baby or took his sandals off. He was righteous and holy, so he was used by God to bring the house of Israel out of Egypt. Now, it means that we can be used in edifying the body of Christ. - Matthew 17:2-3
17:2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
17:3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
In the end of Moses` life, actually God had stated that he could not enter Canaan. It happened because he did not become like a baby. When he was ordered to speak to the stone, he was disobedient. He relied on his emotion or intelligence again. So, he was in total failure; even he aimed at the everlasting perdition. But, in the worship prayer, he still got the opportunity to be like a baby again. He cried to God and asked His merciful hand, so he could enter Canaan.
Ruth 3:18
3:18 Then she said, "Sit still,my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day."
Let us "sit still", namely being patient to wait the time of God. Let His merciful hand work by His own way, so all things become successful and beautiful in His time until the perfection. - Exodus 2:6
God blesses you.