OUR FATHER'S MILLENNIAL TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

Ezekiel chapter 40 verse 9, referring to the measurements of the portico of the east gate that faced the millenial temple in Jerusalem, says this;

it was eight cubits deep and its jambs were two cubits thick. The portico of the gateway faced the temple.

This architectural detail of the temple is a covering that extends from the inner opening of the east gate. Different translations give us different names for this feature: Portico, porch, vestibule, gate and entrance hall.

This covering extends 8 long cubits (14 feet ) from the wall-face and the jambs for the portico are 2 long cubits ( 3.5 feet ) wide.

The portico is built against the outer east gate that is itself a towering 60 long cubits ( 105 feet ) high.

Amen.

OUR FATHER BEFORE WHOM NONE CAN BOAST

The apostle Paul, speaking of the message of the  cross of Jesus as the only power of God unto salvation, says this, in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verses 27 - 31;

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Paul then, in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 verses 1 - 3, tells the church that it was for this reason that he came to them with only the testimony of Jesus Christ and him crucified. The passage reads this way;

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 

The Lord did not employ the tools of eloquence or human wisdom to bring people unto salvation. The only message that the Lord imbued with the very power of salvation was the offensive stumblingblock of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 

Thus Paul, ineloquently bearing this message of salvation, knowing that it was a stumblingblock to some and foolishness to others, came with fear and trembling before the people of Corinth.

To those being saved, the message of the cross is the very power of God.

Amen.

OUR FATHER WHO JUDGES THOSE WHO PRESUME TO TAKE POSSESSION OF HIS PEOPLE

Ezekiel chapter 35 verses 10 - 11 says this;

“‘Because you have said, “These two nations and countries will be ours and we will take possession of them,” even though I the Lord was there, therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them and I will make myself known among them when I judge you.

Israel's neighbouring kingdom, Edom, had opportunistically planned to advantage of a period of time when  Israel was under the severe judgement of the Lord and were suffering from a great calamity.

Because Edom had plotted to take possession of the Lord's people  even though the Lord was present, a fearsome judgement was aimed at them that would lay their kingdom waste and leave their whole nation in complete desolation.

As the Lord said in verses 13-14;

You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: While the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate. 

Such is the fate of any kingdom or nation that plots to displace God and gain rulership over God's people.

Amen.

OUR LORD WHO CALLS HIS PEOPLE TO BE A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS

Continuing on their journey away from Egypt, the children of Israel entered the desert of Sinai and encamped at the foot of the mountain of God. Moses, on his own, went to the mountain and God called to him to instruct him what to say to the people.

Exodus chapter 19 verse 3 says it this way;

Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 

Verses 4 - 6 records the words that the Lord told Moses to convey to the children of Israel;

 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

These conditional promises to the children of Israel, predicated on their obedience and keeping the covenant they had with God, offered them the lofty place of being the Lord's singular treasured possesion, being a kingdom of priests and being a holy nation.

This privilege, were they to uphold their side,  would grant all the people of Israel access to their God as priests and give the entire nation of Israel the role of representing the rest of the world before God.

Moses came down from the mountain and relayed the offer to the people and in verse 8, they people replied thusly;

The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

Amen.

OUR FATHER WHO CAN SAVE US

Verse 1 of Isaiah chapter 59  says this;

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

However, the book of Isaiah ( x Jeremiah ) chapter 59 verse 3 says this;

For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things.

Therefore, as Isaiah chapter 59 verse 2 says;

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

The Lord assures us that He can save us but He tells us that our iniquities and sins have separated us from Him because of the kinds of evil things that we have done.

We, as the human race, have innocent blood on our hands  and we have said falsities and muttered wicked things. We do not pursue justice but instead engage in evil schemes and violence. We engage in rebellion and treachery against the Lord by inciting revolt against him.

Even though our wickedness separates us from God and there is none among us to guide us back to Him, the Lord himself undertakes our salvation which He extends to those who sincerely repent.

As Isaiah chapter 59 verse 20 says;

“The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”

Amen.

OUR FATHER WHO JUDGES THOSE GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OVER HIS PEOPLE

Looking  deeper into Isaiah chapter 56 verse 11, let's examine the metaphors used to represent the people who are charged with watching over the children of Israel. The verse reads like this;

They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way,  they seek their own gain.

The 'dog' metaphor first relates to the role that dogs have as guards of the household. They are supposed to be alert and use their superior hearing and olfactory senses to detect potential infiltrations so that they can give early warning to the rest of the household.

Instead, these dogs occupy themselves with satiating their mighty appetites and are thus not heeding the conditions at the perimeter of the household. They are never satisfied enough to return to their duties.

The watchment of the people are supposed to keep watch but they remain preoccupied.

The second metaphor used is the 'shepherd'. Shepherds are given responsibility over flocks of sheep to ensure the  well-being of the sheep is provided for. They are supposed to make sure that they have food and water as well as protection from the elements, thieves  and predators.

 Instead, the shepherds over Israel have no understanding of these basic duties that require constant attention to the flock so that none go missing. Instead, the shepherds of Israel pursue their own agendas and seek their own gain.

As distracted dogs or as sidetracked shepherds, the watchmen of the Lord's people turn aside from their mission and the people of the Lord are left vulnerable to hunger, thirst, thieves  and predators.

Let us always be alert as Ephesians chapter 6 verse 18 says;  

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the LORD’s people.

Amen.

OUR FATHER WHO GATHERS HIS PEOPLE FROM AFAR AND JUDGES THE WATCHMEN WHO SLEEP

Isaiah chapter 56 verse 11 says this;

They are dogs with mighty appetites;  they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way,  they seek their own gain.

This verse is referencing the watchmen and guardians of God's people. Instead of standing guard over Israel and providing coverage and early warning, they stay mute and sound no alarm.

Instead of being watchful,  they lie around and sleep. Following their own giant appetites, they turn to their to their own way and seek their own gain. They get drunk and harbor delusions that things will get better and better.

With such watchmen among His people, the Lord calls in foreigners who honor Him to be His people and it is these who He will gather along with His remnant in Israel and bring them to His Holy mountain and give them joy in His house of prayer.

Amen.