Public Service at Surabaya - Sunday, February 10, 2008

Today we learn Exodus 32, which is in Tabernacle structure referred to the veil (http://www.gptkk.org/tirai-en.php), which speaks of the tearing of flesh.
As a whole, the chapter 32 is divided into five parts as follows:

1. vs. 1 – 6 about golden calf
2. vs. 7 – 14 about God’s wrath
3. vs. 15 – 20 about the two tablets of stone being broken
4. vs. 21 – 29 about Moses’ wrath toward Aaron and the people of Israel (signifying sanctification)
5. vs. 30 – 35 about Moses’ prayer over the people of Israel (signifying the ministry of reconciliation)

Today we learn the first part, i.e., GOLDEN CALF.

Exodus 32:1-3
1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."
2 And Aaron said to them, "Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me."
3 "So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.

That Moses delayed coming down from the mountain implies Jesus is not coming yet the second time, and that Moses stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights denotes the period of the church age, that is, forty years of Jubilee, which is equal to two thousand years (1 year of Jubilee = 50 years). In fact, we are now living in the year of 2008.

The period of the church from age to age is 2000 years:

1. the age of Father God (from Adam to Abraham) was 2000 years.
2. the age of the Son (from Abraham to the first coming of Jesus Christ) was 2000 years.
3. the age of Holy Spirit God / the end of the age (from the first to the second coming of Jesus Christ) should have been 2000 years as well, but now is 2008 and Jesus is not coming yet. This fact then raises a question from many parties, including the ones from our own organization about the truth and exactness of the map of ages shown by W.H.Offler. We do not learn about the exact calendar. Holy Bible says that it is longsuffering toward us when Jesus is not coming yet. Formerly, Moses delayed coming down from the mountain and now, in 2008, Jesus is not coming the second time.

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Christ should have come the second time, but He is not coming yet. It is not because of His slackness but His longsuffering toward all men, that they come to repentance. And for those who has come to repentance, the longsuffering of God is to test their obedience and faithfulness.

While Moses were struggling on the mountain forty days and forty nights to receive the concept of Tabernacle and the two tablets of stone, the people of Israel were tested in their obedience and faithfulness, but they failed because they committed idolatry by making a golden calf. Now the question is: why was the golden calf made? - why is there idolatry at church? There are two reasons as explained below:

1. Exodus 32:1
   1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."
   They gathered together to Aaron; meaning for us: godliness is focused on men (such as a pastor or an artist) and worldly things (such as money, social status, and friendship) – so that God no longer becomes the center of godliness. This is the false godliness.
   The existence of golden calf obstructed the construction of the tabernacle, since gold was used to make the ark of covenant, altar of incense, and the other objects. So thus is at church; the “golden calf” will obstruct and destroy the forming of the Body of Christ – even if the godliness seems to be impressive and magnificent. We have to pray to the Lord that we will never gather together to Aaron (not prioritizing God) although we are still little in quantity.
   The true godliness, however, is to press about Jesus to hear the word of God, especially the teaching word.
   Luke 5:1, 3
   1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,
   3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
   Thus, the purpose of godliness is to hear and obey the word of God/the teaching word in order that we have fellowship in the Body of Christ until the Body is united with the Head at the time of Jesus’ second coming, and we will enter into the full joy in the marriage supper of the Lamb.
   1 John 1:1, 3-4
   1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life––
   3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
   4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
   Be now careful; many Christians proclaim themselves as the worshipers of God, but they are actually idolaters because they have the false godliness; the purpose of their godliness is not to hear the word of God, but to gain and satisfy their flesh. Such will obstruct the construction of Christ’s body.
2. Exodus 32:2-3
   2 And Aaron said to them, "Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me."
   3 "So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.
   They broke off the golden earrings from their ears, not the ones from head, nose, or feet.
   What does “break off the golden earrings from the ears” mean?
   Proverbs 25:12
   12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
   An ornament of fine gold is the golden earring to an obedient ear. Thus, the obedient ear is an ear with a golden earring. If the earring is broken off, it means disobedience to the word of God. Disobedience to the word is the reason of idolatry in Church.
   We must be careful when we are blessed, just like the people of Israel was blessed in miracles with these evidences:
   • they defeated Pharaoh
   • they passed through the sea and went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground (as the waters were divided).
   • they were freely fed with manna for forty years; one omer (equal to 3.6 liters) for each one each day. This is a real abundance.
   • they could hear the voice of the Lord; but not the gentiles.
     Unfortunately, they became disobedient. We therefore must take heed to ourselves, that we always obey the word of God when in blessings as well as in troubles (Saul, for example, was disobedient when he was in troubles). Lest we be proud nor disobedient, for they are the characters of the flesh.
   Who initiated to break off the golden earrings? Wives did.
   Exodus 32:2
   2 And Aaron said to them, "Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me."
   A wife/woman generally refers to the Church and especially denotes a female. That wives initiated to break off the golden earrings means women are trying to position themselves as the head, either at home or church. We must be careful, since many troubles and idolaters rise up because of women, for example, Martha.
   Luke 10:40-41
   40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
   41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
   Martha said to Jesus, “Tell her to help me.” - while it is written in Genesis that wives/women are a helper to husbands. Thus, we may conclude that Martha positioned herself as the head/husband, as if she had broken off the golden earrings from her ears. If a woman positions herself as the head at home, her husband is also guilty (since he lets it happen); and if she positions herself as the head at church, the pastor is guilty too (since he lets idolatry occur). When is it said that women position themselves as the head? When they teach and have authority over a man. See the consequences below:
   • worries and troubles ("Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.) = living in the midst of thorns = living in a curse.
     Worries and troubles are like thorns that always stab us. A marriage whose head is the wife will always walk in a curse and a church whose head is a woman will cause the congregation to live in a curse; they will not feel the presence/blessings of the Lord.
   • idolatry and adultery (soon after the golden earrings were broken off, the golden calf was made). Both of them are one and have happened in the past as well as they will happen in the last days as it is written in Revelation.
     Revelation 2:18-20
     18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
     19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
     20 "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
     Now we can see how disobedience works from age to age: in the days of Israel (Exodus), in the days of Jesus Christ (the story about Martha – Luke), and in these last days (about woman Jezebel – Revelation).
   The fact indeed proves that more people are attracted and more progress is gained because a woman becomes the praise and song leader and the preacher of the word (vs. 19 “the last are more than the first”). Nonetheless, it is written in the next verse: ”I (the Lord) have a few things against (reproach) you.” It is a pity of the Church of Thyatira; they were already in good condition and in progress, but were then reproached for they let woman Jezebel teach and have authority over men in the congregation. There is no perfection in such condition.
   That a woman may not become the head does not mean a woman may not serve God. Some people say “Do not serve in GPT (Gereja Pantekosta Tabernakel) or enter Lempin-El because they teach women to become maids. It is absolutely wrong because women are positioned according to the will of God.
   1 Timothy 2:11-14
   11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.
   12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
   13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
   14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
   The very first disobedience was initiated by Eve/woman. Therefore, from among the people of Israel who initiated to break off the golden earrings were wives, and it is Jezebel written in the book of Revelation. All is begun with women, that is, church (in general) and females (in particular). From the above verses, we can see that a woman is not allowed to teach and have authority over a man in connection with the falling of Eve in the Garden of Eden.
   What had Eve done in the Garden of Eden? She broke the commandment of the Lord, saying: “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” This implies: a woman may serve God in every kind of the work of ministry, but not teach and have authority over a man. Moreover, it is emphasized in 1 Corinthians 14:34 that a woman must keep silent.
   1 Corinthians 14:34
   34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
   Whether the church will become holy or not depends on women in that church. If they teach men, the church will be reproached. On the contrary, if they keep silent - such as Mary, the church will be holy and perfect. Many women serve God according to their pleasures; they think themselves great if they can pray and preach the word of God. In reality, God praised Mary not when she gave a sermon, but when she heard His word (being in silence). God declared that Mary had chosen the good part. It further means hearing is better than speaking.
   Luke 10:39, 42
   39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
   42 "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
   Now we just need to choose by whom we want to be praised: God or men. Although men proclaim that the Church of Thyatira were excellent, the Lord reproached them still. The ministry of a woman (Church) is to keep silent under Jesus’ feet, that is to say, hearing and obeying the word of God. It is the good part even the best.
   Here are the good results of being in silence:
   • positioning a man as the head = positioning Jesus as the Head, Jesus with His power to make anything that is not good become good and eternal (“which will not be taken away from her”). This is the best and eternal ministry, lest the big number tricks us. The big or small number is not a problem as long as the Church obeys the word of God.
   • aiming at the forming of the Body of Christ.
     In Exodus 32, women initiated to break off the golden earrings from their ears to make a golden calf; while in Exodus 35, men initiated to break off their golden earrings to make tabernacle.
     Exodus 35:22
     22 They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the LORD.
     In this verse, “men” is written first and it shows awareness of men’s being the head (Jesus as the Head) for the sake of the forming of the Body of Christ. Exodus 32 refers to the veil (http://www.gptkk.org/tirai-en.php), which speaks of the tearing of the flesh; meaning we should tear the flesh namely disobedience/unfaithfulness at these last days before Christ is not coming yet, that we may obey the word of God whatever the risk is and no matter what will happen (or be sacrificed like Jesus who is obedient). The first obedience is to be baptized with water, as Jesus has done for us to follow.
     Matthew 3:14-15
     14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"
     15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
     It should have been John baptized by Jesus, not Jesus baptized by John, but Jesus said, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." John was nothing compared to Jesus, but Jesus sacrificed His prestige to obey the will of the Father. Very often we retain our prestige whereas God by His word has cornered us to confess sin, but we refuse to do it. Such also happens to parents. God by His word has rebuked them to apologize to their children, but they refuse it because they think of their prestige as being a parent.
     Another example of Jesus’ obedience is when He was in Gethsemane.
     Mark 14:35-36
     35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.
     36 And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."
     “nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will” shows obedience. Jesus was innocent but the Father willed Him to drink of the cup/to suffer on the cross. It should not have happened to Jesus, but Jesus had let what the Father want be upon Him. Maybe we are sure that our will is true, but if the will of God is different, we must set aside our will and obey the will of God. Let us tear this flesh, lest we break off the golden earrings!
   The last example of Jesus’ obedience is on the cross.
   Philippians 2:8
   8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
   Jesus sacrificed all of His life that we may follow His step.
   We know that Jesus is not coming yet is to test our obedience/faithfulness. Therefore. we must keep silent under Jesus’ feet as Mary did to hear and obey His word. This is the good and eternal part to direct us to the forming of the Body of Christ or Tabernacle (not the golden calf).

Obeying the word of God means giving the two hands to God; and God will also give His hands (powerful hands), on which there is wound by nail, to do these things:

• God makes us His approved minister.
  Matthew 7:24-25
  24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
  25 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
  Jesus’ wounded hand was shown to Thomas who unbelieved in His resurrection. What does it mean? It is to show that the hand of God has been approved. If He touches us, we will become His approved minister; we will be used and never fall away from the forming of the perfect Body of Christ. If we often stumble and fall because we are not approved yet, we should pray that God touches us. We are indeed weak, but we want to become obedient.
  There are three trials to approve our faith as follows:
  1. rain = dragon = evil and unclean spirits
  2. wind = false prophets = heresies
  3. flood = antichrist = mammon
     They are the trinity of Satan. Now let us test our foundation. Is it faith or mammon? If it is faith, we will be strong still when antichrist hits our economy; but if mammon, we will be defeated and destroyed by economic problems. Seeing that, we must have a strong foundation to endure the three trials and remain in the work of ministry, for the perfect Body of Christ until Jesus comes back.
• God will command the blessing on us which none can prevent.
  Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 8
  1 "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.
  2 "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:
  8 "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
  Money and intelligence cannot guarantee the prosperity of our life; only obedience can do. Being smart and rich is not false, but being unintelligent and not rich also does not matter. The most important thing is to become obedient. God has prepared the blessings to preserve obedient people.
• God will be present as Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals us both physically and spiritually
  Exodus 15:26
  26 and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you."
  That the Lord heals us spiritually means we are recovered from sins when we confess and forsake the sins; we will be sanctified until become as perfect as Christ is. The more we become obedient, the more we are healed.
  Lest we become like the people of Israel, of whom three thousands died, but we must struggle through obedience to become as perfect as Jesus Christ is.

God bless you!