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#388 Kingdom: Preface To The Study Of The Tabernacle Of God


In recent travels to different countries and cultures it has become clear that some people can receive spiritual understanding and some cannot. It has nothing to do with education or social or mental acuity.

Recently in a pastor’s conference I had several pastors or leaders read Luke 12: 35-40 after I projected the verses onto a screen. I bolded certain phrases and changed the color in Power Point presentation. For example; I bolded and changed the color of “WHEN HE RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING FEAST” along with other key points.

I had them all read the verses and asked them to explain what it said. I then asked how many wanted to be ready to meet the Lord at that time. Nearly all put their hand up. None could perceive that when the Lord returned from the wedding feast it was too late for the alert Christian and especially for the pastors who were supposed to be preparing the church to become the bride. The wedding was over and the feast had begun. The bride and the Bridegroom had already completed the first part of the ceremony. This “return” time followed Revelation 19: 6-10.

After I explained it clearly several still could not understand the passage. This was very disturbing to me because these are the ones leading the church into the purpose of God. These were very alert people who could function in business or other professions very well. I wondered what went wrong and how can we fix it?

Just this morning I think I have the answer to this puzzling question. But why is solving this “mystery” important to this study? Much of what we will share and the scriptures we will use will seem strange and confusing to most church members that are just used to listening to a message on Sunday. Everybody who is limited to “human reason” will receive nothing from the spiritual dimension.

The “Tabernacle of God” is of another dimension far above the earth realm and will not be understood by those who only dwell and understand things in the earth realm. It is not “far above” in distance but in perception. The method of understanding the “above” realm is not human but divine. It has come to my attention that I use three words too casually for them to reveal what I am trying to say. This problem is multiplied when these terms are attempted to be translated into other languages. Therefore, I want to define what I mean in these three words so we can get on the same page in understanding the “Tabernacle of God.” Obviously there will be many people confused by this study but we want to explain why.

These three words are (1) Revelation (2) Inspiration (3) Illumination. Many assume that all three of these words refer to the same thing and can be interpreted in the same way. To explain why I think some can understand and some can’t I will define at least what I mean by these terms.

(1) Revelation; Refers to that “Truth” which is directly revealed to man from God. It means “an uncovering” or “a drawing back of the veil” to reveal whatever obscures the truth. The truth has always been there but one day God pulls back the veil and we see something that we could not see before. Revelation is when God communicates truth to us that opens up vistas that can be recognized by NO OTHER method. Only that which comes directly from God to man can qualify as revelation according to my understanding.

(2) Inspiration; While revelation conveys truth directly to man from God, there still must be another working of God to communicate this truth to others. Inspiration is the ability (power) to deliver this God given truth to our listeners. This is what constitutes a valid ministry. The more common term we use today to convey this thought is “the anointing.” The anointing in the New Covenant is both in the inner man and upon the outer man. By the anointing, the Holy Spirit imparts a special ability {or gift} to communicate this God given truth to others. The lack of anointing is one reason so little truth is communicated and the reason why many cannot understand the message that is spoken, even if the message contains the revelation given by God.

(3) Illumination; This is of the same realm but is different in that the Holy Spirit must do something in the hearer so he has the ability to hear and understand the truth that was given by revelation of God.

Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.

Revelation truth cannot be understood by the natural man through human faculties. Why? Because this kind of truth of a different dimension and is not of the earth / dirt realm. Truth that has come from “above” the earth realm cannot be understood by those in the dirt realm. The dirt man has NO CAPACITY to understand spiritual truth.

1Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

The practical aspect of this fact is seen in the disciples who were on the road to Emmaus. Jesus was with them and communicating with them. Their heart burned within them but they could still not recognize Him until their eyes were opened. Both the “Living Word” that was speaking and the Holy Spirit”who opened their eyes were necessary to bring understanding.

Our conclusion then is this; Revelation, inspiration and Illumination are all needed to cause us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Multitudes are sitting in the pew each Sunday that have not yet been born again to a living hope. Each may believe something about Jesus because what was presented was clear and logical but that is NOT salvation.