"Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them." (Isa 42:9). "Surely the LORD GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7). "But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?" (Isa 42:22,23)

*And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put the breastplate upon him [Aaron]: also he put IN THE breastplate the Urim and the Thummim. (Lev 8:6,8)

*And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ASK COUNSEL for him AFTER THE JUDGMENT OF URIM before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. (Num 27:21)

*And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one [High Priest], whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; (Deut 33:1,8)

*These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things [of the brasen altar], till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim [to judge who was who]. (Ezra 2:62,63)

In Hebrew, Urim has the meaning of "Lights" and Thummim has the meaning of "Perfections." Both Urim and Thummim are always in the plural and capitalized. The Septuagint translates Urim as "the Manifestation" and Thummim as "the Truth." What are they? No-one really knows. What we do know is that they were placed in the inside pocket of the breastplate of judgment "upon" the heart of the High Priest who represented the children of Israel. In the Old Testament the tabernacle and its furniture were outside the congregation, that is, external physically to them. The congregation entered into a physically manifested and external tabernacle of God. The Urim and the Thummim are consistent to that Old Testament external relationship. They were physical and external to the congregation but, significantly, located as close as possible to the Old Testament heart inside the breastplate of judgment. In the New Testament the tabernacle and its furniture are spiritual and internal to each person "for the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21). We would therefore expect the Urim and the Thummim to be consistent with this New Testament internal relationship. Patterns.

The Urim and the Thummim were consulted for judgments. Most scholars believe them to have been cast as lots in response to a question. This conclusion seems to be borne out in scripture by implied applications of the Urim and the Thummim (Josh 7:14-18; Jud 20:27,28; I Sam 14:37-45; II Sam 5:23; 21:1; etc.). However, no where does the Bible specifically state that the Urim and the Thummim were cast as lots. Moses placed the Urim and the Thummim inside the breastplate of judgment worn by the High Priest but where did he get them from? They were not made by the hands of men as was the tabernacle or the pattern would have been given by God. No physical description or point of origin is ever given. They were just there, with no beginning or ending. They were a gift from God. They were undefinable and unmeasurable. What does this suggest to you? The "Lights" and "Perfections" have characteristics in common with the brasen laver and the candlestick. All are undefinable and unmeasurable and perform the same function, i.e. they give perfect light.

We have already noted that these "wise men" were without number. To come from the east is to be like the sun. Where does the sun start from? They were without origin, without beginning or ending. They were undefinable and unmeasurable. They presented perfect gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the child Jesus.

GOLD is one of the first metals known to man. It can be used in its pure state without smelting. It never tarnishes. Gold is the most often mentioned metal in the Bible: 479 times. Silver 316 times; brasen, brass and copper 154 times; iron 97 times. Gold is the symbol of the purity of God.

FRANKINCENSE is an aromatic gum resin obtained from the Boswellia tree native to India, Arabia and Africa. It is used on both altars of the tabernacle of the congregation. Frankincense is part of the burnt offering on the brasen altar of sacrifice: the altar outside the tabernacle where we confess our sins. Frankincense is also part of the incense of prayer, praise and worship that we offer up to God upon the golden altar inside the tabernacle.

MYRRH is an extract from another tree which is used in compound as anointing oil. Myrrh is used to anoint all the furniture of the tabernacle of the congregation, the tabernacle itself, and the priests and Levites who minister to the tabernacle.

These nine gifts of the Spirit seem to fall into three divisions of three. The gifts of revelation which are the mind gifts. The gifts of inspiration which are the vocal gifts. The gifts of power which are the working gifts.

Some characteristics that these three mind gifts have in common is that they are initially manifested internally in our mind and are received from the mind of God. These gifts are received inside the tabernacle in the Holy Place and correlate with the internal receptor senses of sight, hearing and smell. The message of these gifts is initially received internally directly from God. The path is Spirit to spirit. Inside to inside. God's Holy Spirit to our spirit. Both the giver and the receiver of the mind gifts dwell in the same body and are in one accord. God to inner man. Most Holy Place to Holy Place. This is a pure manifestation. This is the gold the wise men presented to the child Jesus. These three gifts are the Urim inside the body of Christ. These are the "Lights" of the mind in the body of Christ.

A gift is something that is received. The true gift is not the vocalization but the hearing. The vocalization initself provides no edification, exhortation or comfort unless received. The hearing, as in understanding (Rom 10:17), of the vocalization produces edification, exhortation and/or comfort and is therefore the gift. The speaker is the agent. The vocalization produces sounds. The hearing produces understanding. An unaccepted gift remains merely an unopened package until it is received. We have to open our mail to receive the contents.

These three vocal gifts have mutual characteristics. They are initially manifested without conscious thought, pre-meditation or understanding. They are unknowingly spoken that they may be first heard and then understood. The speaker himself has to hear the words he vocalizes before he can receive understanding. The speaker is the mailman. The words are spoken with an ignorant tongue and heard with a knowing ear. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:9).

The words enter the hearer from the outside. The message of these three gifts is vocalized and disseminated from the door of the tabernacle into the open court of the tabernacle. The message of these gifts is initially received externally from mailmen as agents of God. It is the Word of God relayed by men. This path is Spirit thru spirit to soul, transformed by the hearing of Spirit to soul. The Spirit, spirit, and soul all dwell in the same body and are in one accord. God to inner man to outer man, transformed by the hearing of the Word of God. This gift is the frankincense given by the wise men to the child Jesus. This is the frankincense of vocalized confession heard at the brasen altar and the frankincense of vocalized prayer, praise and worship heard at the golden altar. These three gifts are among the Thummim inside the body of Christ. These three are among the "Perfections" because they are for the perfection of the body of Christ.

This is the myrrh presented by the wise men to the child Jesus. This is the anointing oil touching the tabernacle body and the priests and Levites as they minister to a natural body. This occurs in the court of the congregation. It is a visible demonstration of the anointing power of God. These three gifts are among the Thummim inside the body of Christ. These three are among the "Perfections" because they are for the perfection of the body of Christ.

The mind gifts having to do with thought are bestowed inside the tabernacle from the Most Holy Place to the Holy Place. The vocal gifts are bestowed from the door threshold of the Holy Place toward the court of the congregation rather like calling out or trumpeting a message across the river Jordan. Some are too far away to hear. The touch gifts are bestowed outside the tabernacle in the court of the congregation. We are first touched by God in the court of the congregation and then we hear from God as we approach the tabernacle and then we receive from God as we enter inside the tabernacle. The gifts of God merge and overlap without beginning or ending.

Although all the latter explanations may seem definitive, they are incorrect. The Holy Spirit remains undefinable and unmeasurable. These explanations are given merely as a guide for general thought and understanding that we may come closer to Him but admittedly still do not fully know Him.

In the Old Testament He is the Urim and the Thummim, the Lights and the Perfections, the Manifestation and the Truth. In the New Testament He is Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit. He is the gold and the frankincense and the myrrh. He is the nine gifts of the Spirit. He is our Lord God Almighty.

In Hebrew, Melchizedek means: king of righteousness. He was "the priest of the most high God." He was also king of Salem. Salem means "peace" in Hebrew. Salem is an earlier name for Jerusalem. Thus Melchizedek was the king of righteousness, the king of peace, and the priest of the most high God. He was a king and a priest and he prophesied to Abram. Abram gave Melchizedek "tithes of all" in acknowledgment of his position as the priest of the Most High God. This is the first recorded instance of tithing. We are not told how Abram knew that Melchizedek was truly the priest of the Most High God but we expect Abram exercised spiritual discernment. Melchizedek is an Old Testament and New Testament type of what we are to become:

*AND [Jesus Christ who] HATH MADE US KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev 1:6)

*AND HAST MADE US UNTO OUR GOD KINGS AND PRIESTS: AND WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH. (Rev 5:10)

Where did our forerunner Melchizedek come from? We note that Melchizedek was before Abram became Abraham, before the gift of the law and tabernacle on mount Sinai, and before Salem became Jerusalem. Melchizedek was before. He had no beginning nor ending. He was just there. He is undefinable and unmeasurable, and he is what we are becoming. We are becoming Christ through Christ Jesus. Christ through Christ Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek:

*The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Psalm 110:4)

*So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, THOU [Jesus Christ] ART A PRIEST FOR EVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIISEDEC. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears [in Gethsemane] unto him [God] that was able to save him from death, and was heard [by Satan] in that [He experienced that which] he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he OBEDIENCE by the things which he SUFFERED; And being MADE PERFECT, he BECAME the author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY HIM; CALLED OF GOD AN HIGH PRIEST AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (Heb 5:5-11)

This is for me at this time as far as our Lord would have me go in an exegesis of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Please read Hebrews 6:20 and all of Hebrews chapter 7 if you are so led. The verses will explain themselves should that be God's Will in your life. The Melchizedek Priesthood is the High Calling in Christ Jesus.

The first half of the seven year tribulation is the gestation period of the man child. He is borne (Rev 12:5) and brought forth as a man all in one day. "Who hath heard such a thing?"

*Before she travailed [suffered], she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered OF A MAN CHILD. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as ZION TRAVAILED, she brought forth her children [Sons of God Body]. (Isa 66:7,8)

During this time of tribulation on earth and until its conclusion the Lord will "raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen...close up the breaches thereof...raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old." The finished work (Mal 4:2,3) of the corporate body of Christ with the Lamb as Head will then be revealed (Rom 8:18,19) atop mount Zion (Rev 14:1) on the Day of Atonement. King David will reign under Messiah. We will reign as the tabernacle of David under Messiah. The man child tabernacle of David is the "firstfruits" company (Rev 14:4). The full harvest of the church which is Jerusalem will follow (Zech 12:7) this firstfruits company on the Day of Atonement (I Thess 4:16,17).

*And it shall come to pass in that day [of Atonement], that the LORD shall beat off [thresh] from the channel of the river [Jordan] unto the stream [Red Sea] of Egypt [which is the sum of the wilderness], AND YE SHALL BE GATHERED one by one, O ye children of Israel. (Isa 27:12)

The tabernacle of David is being built in the midst of the sanctuary (Ezek 37:26,27) which is tabernacle of Jerusalem. A tabernacle within a tabernacle like the Most Holy Place and the Holy Place. Like the tabernacle of Jesus within the tabernacle of Mary. "For the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman [Jerusalem] shall compass a man [Zion]." (Jer 31:22). The tabernacle of David which was birthed and rooted in the tabernacle of Moses is being raised up again as a great tree atop mount Zion in the midst of Jerusalem. This great tree tabernacle of David will be greatly enlarged so that it will possess, i.e. cover with his leaves, the promised land which once was in contention but then will have been won (Zech 14:21). His leaves will be "for the healing of the nations." (Rev 22:2).

*Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a TABERNACLE that shall not be taken down; NOT ONE OF THE STAKES THEREOF SHALL EVER BE REMOVED, neither shall any of the CORDS thereof be broken. (Isa 33:20)

*Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate [Babylon] than the children of the married wife [Jerusalem], saith the LORD. ENLARGE THE PLACE OF THY TENT [give birth], and let them STRETCH FORTH [pregnancy] the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, LENGTHEN THY CORDS, and STRENGTHEN THY STAKES; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and THY SEED shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. (Isa 54:1-3)

The tabernacle of the mind will be greatly expanded, enlarged. God will fully possess the promised land of the mind/body of the tabernacle experientially as well as positionally. Strongholds of resistance and rebellion will have been completely defeated and expelled from the promised land. The Holy Spirit will then fully and permanently occupy the territory previously occupied by the invading demonic army of Satan. Satan and his fallen angels will be bound a thousand years for the duration of the millennium and consequently there will be no spiritual resistance in this third kingdom of heaven to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We shall preach and teach and fellowship in a receptive rather than hostile environment.

John the Baptist was of priestly lineage. The priests of today have a type of the "more than" ministry of John the Baptist, albeit advanced (matured) to the next heaven through the ministry of Jesus Christ. Some priests now preach from the second heaven of the Holy Place into the wilderness congregation to prepare the way for the second coming of our Lord Christ Jesus. A few Priests preach to the wilderness congregation and teach to the Holy Place Priests from the Most Holy Place, for some few have entered therein. (Heb 4:6). It is the Will of God that all saints enter into the Most Holy Place. The second coming of our Lord Christ Jesus will result in the entrance of the whole Christian congregation into the third heaven of the Most Holy Place, the city of Jerusalem, the sheepfold.

*In those days came John the Baptist, PREACHING IN THE WILDERNESS of Judaea [east of Jordan], And saying, REPENT YE: FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN [second heaven, Holy Place] IS AT HAND. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Matt 3:1-3)

*And from [before] the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven [the second heaven, promised land, Holy Place] suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force [physical manifestations of spiritual occurrences, i.e. invasions: Midianites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Romans]. For all the prophets and THE LAW prophesied until John. (Matt 11:12,13)

From Jesus onward the second kingdom of heaven of the Holy Place is entered by "the poor in spirit, they that mourn, the meek, they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake." (Matt 5:3-10). These are not violent infidel invaders but converted Christian seekers.

*But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, FEAR NOT: FOR I HAVE REDEEMED THEE, and I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passeth through the waters [first primary baptism], I will be with thee [Ex 14:29,30, Red Sea]; and through the rivers [second primary baptism], they shall not overflow thee [Josh 3:16, Jordan]: when thou walkest through the fire [third primary baptism], thou shalt not be burned [Isa 31:9, furnace]; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee [Dan 3:25-27]. (Isa 43:1,2)

The birth of Jesus in type provided the children of Israel access to the Holy Place via the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwelt Him. Jesus Christ is our perfect example and "We shall be like him." (I John 3:2). Heretofore only the priests had access to the Holy Place. Please note that a birth begins each new dispensation of God the Father. From mount Sinai issued forth the gift (singular) of the law and pattern of the tabernacle which became Jesus. From Bethlehem (Heb: house of bread) issued forth the gift of Jesus who became the Christ. From mount Zion will issue forth the gift of the Christ: "That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles [unsaved], upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things." (Acts 15:17). Birth is fruit (Gen 1:28).

The pattern of the tabernacle of God was birthed on mount Sinai by God the Father and His wife: the willing children of Israel (Ex 36:5). The human substance and the heart of the tabernacle of God was birthed in Bethlehem as the body of Jesus. This body was Fathered by the Holy Spirit and Mary (Luke 2:7). His name was Jesus. He became the Christ. He is the Son of man through Adam and the Son of God through the Spirit of God.

The mind of the tabernacle of God is the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ is being birthed by Jesus Christ as Father (Mark 4:13) in this single spiritual generation (Psalm 22:30; Matt 1:17) which spans from the birth of Jesus until the return of Christ Jesus.

*A SEED SHALL SERVE HIM; it [we] shall be accounted to the LORD FOR A GENERATION. (Psalm 22:30)

*And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, OF WHOM was born Jesus, who is CALLED Christ. (Matt 1:16)

Matthew relates that He who "was born Jesus, is called Christ." Why did Matthew interject the word "called?" Matthew could have said simply: "who is Christ" or "who was Christ." But neither would have been correct from Matthew's perspective as narrator of the birth of Jesus. "Mary, of whom was born..." implicitly points to the birth of a baby. Jesus was not born Christ. He was born Jesus son of Joseph. He became Jesus the Christ when He received the fullness of the Holy Spirit baptism in the Jordan river some thirty years after His birth (Matt 3:16,17). Should you care to count the 42 generations of Jesus Christ listed in the genealogy of Matthew chapter 1:1-17, and I strongly encourage you to do so, you will find that Christ is the 42 generation. You will also find that Jesus is listed as generation number 41. Therefore Jesus is listed as the Father of Christ which is the 42nd generation. The 42nd generation spans almost 2000 years from the birth of Jesus up to and including this present time. This explains who Jesus was referring to whenever he spoke about "this generation" which He did eleven times in Matthew. That is why we are called Christians, which means little Christs. "A seed shall serve him." This last generation before the return of Christ Jesus is a spiritual generation rather than a chronological generation. Please recall that spiritual time is not the same as chronological time. Our transformation (Rom 12:2) from soul to spirit is continual birth. Revelation is continual birth. God is life. Death is abomination to God.

The Holy Place measures 10 cubits wide by 20 cubits long by 10 cubits in height. The Holy Place measures 2000 cubic cubits. That corresponds to 2000 years from the birth of Jesus. These 2000 years are the fifth and sixth days of Genesis 1:20-31 wherein God created all life and living creatures and commanded them to "Be fruitful, and multiply." The children of Israel have every one had personal access to the way (courtyard), the truth (Holy Place), and the life (Most Holy Place) of God for almost 2000 years that they might "Be fruitful, and multiply."

To review: the kingdom of God is composed of three heavens. One must be a Christian to dwell in (partake of) heaven. The first heaven is this visual taste and touch, altar and laver, wilderness heaven. Most Christians still dwell in this first heaven between the Red Sea and the Jordan river which is the court of the tabernacle. The second kingdom of heaven is the Holy Place of the tabernacle which the Old Testament saints, excepting the Priests, had access to only in type. The third heaven is the millennial heaven of the Most Holy Place which some as forerunners (Heb 6:20) of the congregation must enter into:

*Seeing therefore IT REMAINETH THAT SOME MUST ENTER THEREIN, and they to whom it was first preached [Old Testament wilderness saints and prophetically New Testament saints] entered not in BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF. (Heb 4:6)

The Holy Place heaven is 2000 years long or two 1000 year days from the birth of Jesus until the birth of the man child. The third kingdom of heaven begins the seventh day (Gen 2:2,3) 1000 year millennium and culminates in "a new heaven and a new earth" (Rev 21:1). The third kingdom of heaven is the Most Holy Place heaven. The Most Holy Place measures 10 cubits wide by 10 cubits long by 10 cubits in height. The Most Holy Place is 1000 cubic cubits, i.e. the seventh day 1000 year millennium. Mt. Zion is the Most Holy Place, "the top of the mountain...most holy." (Ezek 43:12). The kingdom of God encompasses all three of these heavens plus, I would guess, a whole bunch more.

Responsibility in the kingdom of God is related to ability, capacity, and willingness. The Lord our God allocates responsibility to each of us who are servants in this kingdom in proportion to our ability to successfully bear that responsibility. He never apportions more than we can handle. Therefore one good and faithful servant will have authority over ten cities in the millennial third heaven kingdom "according to his several ability" while another equally good and faithful servant will have authority over five cities (Luke 19:12-27).

We are created in the image of God. Why then do we use only about 7% of our brain? What about the other 93%? God did not create us with this brain capacity for no reason. God had a reason. In the millennium we are going to use that other 93% which lays largely dormant and unused. Our mind will be enlarged. The tabernacle of our mind will be greatly enlarged. A full enlargement of the mind is the rapturing experience of possessing the full mind of Christ, the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This is an enormous expansion of the usable experiential volume of our mind from part to full (I Cor 13:9,10). Our present level of usable mental abilities represent about 7% of our mind's total capacity. We currently experience and use about 7% of our mind's innate God given capacity which can be compared to experientially seeing less than the tiny tip of an iceberg.

One's capacity is relative to one's own mind. Each individual mind has objectively a different total volume capacity, and therefore differing abilities, which is represented subjectively by 100% capacity. (??) A few drops of water will fill a very small glass whereas another glass may have the capacity to hold a quart or more. Each case, however, is a complete filling.

Defining, measuring, explaining and understanding the usage and ramifications of the 100% abilities of the fullness of the Holy Spirit is impossible to do with a 7% comprehension level. It is like an aborigine child defining a star from the sum knowledge of having seen it as a light in the sky. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is inconceivable except by faith. There exists a tremendous difference in degree and type between the manifestation of available abilities while operating at a 7% level of mental capacity and available abilities while operating at 100% of mental capacity. Did Jesus Christ operate at 100% of His capacity? Yes, as the Son of man and our perfect example. His fleshly body certainly limited His abilities. But Christ Jesus in a resurrected body as the Son of God has a higher capacity than Jesus Christ the Son of man. Christ Jesus operates at 100% of His higher capacity as will we.

*Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE SHALL HE DO; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)

When we receive our resurrected or changed bodies and the fullness of the Holy Spirit, the mind of Christ, we shall do greater works here on this earth during the millennium than those done by Jesus Christ because He did not have a resurrected body as the Son of man. He is now the Son of God. We are now the sons of man. We soon shall be the Sons of God. Hallelujah!

Therefore, the speed control devices will not be suddenly and instantly removed, but will be gradually removed in proportion to our willingness and capacity to receive the changes. We speak of course of the rapture. Our bodies will be changed "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (I Cor 15:52) into incorruptible. But our minds will continue the process of transformation already initiated, however, at probably a much increased rate of renovation.

Overcomers willingly and obediently embrace change which is transformation by the renewing of their mind. They are being prepared by God. They willingly die to self daily that the Holy Spirit may regain territory lost through the fall of the woman and Adam. This is why the overcomer man child will grow up relatively rapidly into maturity as a Son of God over a seven year period. The church is somewhat less than enthusiastic about dying to self and it therefore will spend much more time in the transformation or preparation process. This is why the bride will be "prepared" for the wedding feast throughout the millennium. We all have the potential to operate in the fullness of Christ at 100% of our own volume capacity, but are we willing to do so? For to operate in the fullness of the mind of Christ is to exchange our mind for His that we become Like Him. The "I" must completely die that the "We" may live.

Willingness is measured by obedience. Obedience comes to the light and is made manifest when measured by the rod of God's Word (John 3:21). It is therefore relatively easy to perceive. Ability is much more difficult to accurately perceive for the measuring rod is almost entirely subjective and therefore darkened by our own soul. Capacity is impossible for us to perceive for the measuring rod is completely subjective. Let us take the measure of a man by his willingness.

*FOR IF THERE FIRST BE A WILLING MIND, it is accepted [by God] according to that a man HATH, and not according to that he hath not. (II Cor 8:12)

*And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speaketh thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever HATH [a willing mind], to him shall be given [more Light], and he shall have MORE ABUNDANCE [of Light]: but whosoever hath not [a willing mind], from him shall be taken away even that [mind which] he hath [by Satan: Mark 4:15]. (Matt 13:10-12)

*And he said to them all [His disciples], IF ANY MAN WILL [hath a willing mind to] come after me, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF [his self: soul], and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

He who "hath not" a willing mind to "deny himself," deny his self (soul) food (sustenance) and thereby put it to death cannot be a good shepherd and cannot receive "more abundance" of Light which is more of Him. More of Him is the good shepherd's "exceeding great reward" (Gen 15:1).

*Now when he had left speaking [to the congregation], he said unto Simon, LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP [Gr: profundity, mystery], and let down your nets for a draught. (Luke 5:4)

After some resistance and disobedience to the command of Jesus by Simon who got saved in verse 8 and became Simon Peter, the three received an astonishing catch and henceforth became fishers of men. What if you and I had been in that numberless congregation of people who pressed upon Jesus (Luke 5:1) to hear the Word of God? Together we watch Him enter into Simon's boat and row off a little from shore and sit down and begin to teach. Where are you standing? Who are you? Are you standing quietly on the shore among an attentive multitude trying to catch glimpses of Him while you listen intently to His words? Or is that you back there in the crowd shifting around for a better view? Where are you? Did anyone move forward? Did anyone walk into the shallows? Are you one of those? Who are you? I pray to God that I had been to my knees at least in the water.

It was Peter, James and John who Jesus led higher up the mountain than the disciples because they alone could receive the revelations of the witness of His transformation.

*And after six days [Day of Atonement completed; seventh day prophecy, we shall be like Him] JESUS TAKETH WITH HIM Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up [caught up] into an high mountain APART BY THEMSELVES: and he was transfigured [Gr: transformed; (Rom 12:2) metamorphosed, changed] before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white [perfect purity] as snow; so as no fuller [laundryman] on earth can white them. (Mark 9:2,3)

Concerning this prophetic mountain experience Jesus "charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead." (Mark 9:9). It was Peter, James and John who Jesus led farther into the prophetic revelations of His Gethsemane experience than His disciples.

*And they [the disciples] came to a place [outside Jerusalem, outside the body] which was named Gethsemane [Gr: oil press; only pure oil will exit Gethsemane]: and he saith to his disciples, SIT YE HERE, while I shall pray. AND HE TAKETH WITH HIM [caught up] Peter and James and John, and [He] began to be sore amazed [Gr: astonished utterly, greatly affrighted], and to be very heavy [Gr: be in great distress]; And he saith unto them [Peter, James and John], My soul is exceeding sorrowful [Gr: grieved] unto death: TARRY YE HERE [on the earth until I return], AND WATCH [Eph 6:18]. And he went forward a little [forerunner: Heb 6:20], and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. (Mark 14:32-35)

The leading shepherd of all the disciples was Peter. Why was Peter the chief shepherd when John is the disciple of love? How does that fit into our exegesis? Good question! Beats me. Perhaps Peter and John were of equal willingness but Peter's capacity was greater. Perhaps not.

The tabernacle of David atop mount Zion is the bridegroom and Jerusalem which is the church encompassing mount Zion as a fine linen (white) garment is the bride. The thousand year millennium is the preparation period for the betrothed bride. Jewish weddings customarily had a year of betrothal or engagement that the bride might be prepared for the wedding feast. They were technically married (Isa 54:1) upon signing the betrothal agreement but did not dwell together or consummate the union until after the preparation period. Esther was prepared in type by purification for a year (Est 2:12). A thousand years is as a day to the Lord (II Pet 3:8), the seventh day.

*Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land [body/mind] any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah [Heb: my delight (Heb: Eden) is in her], and thy land Beulah [Heb: married]: FOR THE LORD DELIGHTETH IN THEE, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, SO SHALL THY SONS [of God, overcomers, shepherds] MARRY THEE: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, SO SHALL THY GOD REJOICE OVER THEE. (Isa 62:4,5)

At the end of his vision of the millennium John saw the holy city of New Jerusalem which is the fully transformed church having been prepared as the bride descending from heaven.

*Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the MARRIAGE of the Lamb [Rev 14:1] IS COME, and HIS WIFE HATH MADE HERSELF READY. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of the saints. And he saith unto me, Write, BLESSED ARE THEY [sheep and shepherd] WHICH ARE CALLED UNTO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Rev 19:7-9)

*And I John saw the holy city NEW JERUSALEM, coming down from God out of heaven, PREPARED AS A BRIDE adorned FOR HER HUSBAND. (Rev 21:2)

*And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee THE BRIDE, THE LAMB'S WIFE. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, THE HOLY JERUSALEM, descending out of heaven from God. (Rev 21:9,10)

*And the city lieth FOURSQUARE, and the length is as large as the breath: And he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs [1500 miles]. The length and the breath and the height of it are equal. (Rev 21:16)

The holy city sanctuary of New Jerusalem is 1500 miles long by 1500 miles wide by 1500 miles in height. It is a cube 1500 miles to a side. God will tabernacle upon mount Zion within that holy city of New Jerusalem which is the purified and sanctified church. New Jerusalem is the greatly enlarged Most Holy Place of the tabernacle of Moses. The Most Holy Place measured 10 cubits long by 10 cubits wide by 10 cubits in height. It was a cube. It was God's dwelling place. It was the earthly tabernacle of His Shekinah Presence. God enlarged the cube of the Holiest of Holies into the cube of New Jerusalem. Praise God. How you ask? The Most Holy Place expanded to completely fill the court of the tabernacle. God completely filled the darkness of the natural light of the court of the tabernacle with the Eternal

Light of Himself. Darkness to Light. His Light is the Anointing. The land/mind is in the body. The mind of God fills the body and inhabits the land. The transformation from darkness to Light occurred as the Holy Spirit reclaimed the land of the mind through spiritual warfare battle by battle and won the war for the body. Your body and mine which body is the corporate body of Christ.

THE END

The Lord our God is slowly flowing into His chosen body. As pure molten gold pours into the mold He is cast Himself into the pattern revealed on Mt. Sinai. Do you see Him? Do you feel Him? Do you believe Him? "If therefore thine eye be single, thine whole body shall be full of light." This is the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This is the full mind of Christ.

*And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Rev 22:1).

*And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Rev 21:3)

Praise God

Amen