GET POWER WITH GOD (become less)
08-23-15 This message may be viewed live streaming video at www.tabernacleofmoses.org commencing today Sunday at 11:00am, and repeated 24/7 for one week; thereafter, the audio and notes without video are archived.
The depth of our revelations depends upon the correctness of our doctrine.
(Rev 1:1-3) The Revelation [Gk: disclosure /// to take off the cover] of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
OPENING THE SEVENTH SEAL: THE WRATH OF GOD
(Rev 8:1-4) And when he [Jesus Christ] had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets [heralding, announcing judgment]. And another angel came and stood at the altar [Gk: a place of sacrifice], having a golden censer [Gk: frankincense] [a firepan for live coals; to contain the burning coals]; and there was given unto him [the angel: the messenger] much incense [Gk: an aroma, fragrant powder: odour], that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar [golden = the pure (Holy) altar] which was before the throne [i.e., the Ark of the Covenant]. And the smoke of the incense, which came with [i.e., a co-operative mixture; God and man co-operating] the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Commentary: the altar = The altar of incense (frankincense) located inside the Holy Place symbolizes the prayers, praises, and worship of the saints amply mixed with frankincense (the spoken word of God). Yet, many will ask: are the prayers, praises, and worship of the saints of any real effect? Well, the brasen (brass) altar of sacrifice located in the Tabernacle courtyard embraces a consuming fire (God) that is burning wood laid in order (representing us and our sacrifice), the smoke of which ascends upward before God, and most significantly, the brazen altar has four horns of power. In similitude, the golden altar inside the Holy Place has live coals (Isa 6:6) of that same burnt wood taken from the brasen altar (both altars are sacrificial) still glowing with fire, their smoke ascending up to God, and four horns of power. Perhaps we are under-estimating the power of prayer, praise, and worship. How much power? This much power:
(Gen 32:22-32) And he [Jacob] rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok [east of Jordan]. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over [all the animals and herdsmen] that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man [Jacob was alone; who was that man?] with him until the breaking of the day. And when he [the man] saw that he prevailed not against him [Jacob], he [the man] touched the hollow of his [Jacob’s] thigh [lest Jacob’s power became his pride]; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint [Heb: dislocated], as he wrestled with him. And he [the man] said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he [Jacob] said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he [the man] said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob [Heb: heel catcher, supplanter (deceiver)], but Israel [Heb: he will rule as God]: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed [Heb: overcome]. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel [Heb: the face of God] the sun rose upon him, and he halted [Heb: limped] [connoting humility] upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew [Heb: tendon] which shrank [i.e., became less], which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank [became less].
(Hosea 12:2-4) The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense [Heb: reward] him. He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength [of his prayers] he had power with God: Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed [Heb: overcame]: he wept, and made supplication [Heb: submissive prayer] unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
(Rev 2:17) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh [Gk: prevails] will I give to eat of the hidden manna [i.e., revelations], and will give him a white stone [Gk: a pebble (as worn smooth by handling)], and in the stone a new name written [e.g., from Jacob to Israel], which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
(Luke 18:1-6) And he [Jesus] spake a parable unto them to this end [purpose], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint [Gk: be weak, to fail (in heart): be weary]; Saying, There was in a city a [unsaved] judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
Commentary: Get power with God: become less
Amen