A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 1149 Published: 23 Oct 2023
A REVELATION OF..... THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID
THE HOLY OF HOLIES IS EMPTY!
It is with both a heavy and glad heart that I write.
Many people are unaware of the Tabernacle of David. Neither as a temporary tent for the Ark of the Covenant, nor for its end time truths.
Even fewer people are aware that for these short 40 years there were actually two tabernacles in existence. David's political reason for bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem was to eliminate a potential threat to his monarchy. Had the Ark been returned to the original Tabernacle of Moses, now permanently stationed in Gibeon, about 9km (5 1/2 miles) from Jerusalem, it could have been used as a power base by a potential usurper of David's throne, through claiming the Lord's blessing. So David stationed his staunch supporter Zadok as High Priest in Gibeon rather than in Jerusalem, as a further protection.
37 David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements. 38 He also left Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers.
39 David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon 40 to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD, which he had given Israel. (1 Chronicles 16:37-40)
Moses Tabernacle had now been in continual use for nearly 500 years, amazing in itself. The cloth used must have been both strong and weather resistant! But by now, it would have been weather beaten, to say the least.
The furniture, built by Bezalel, Oholiab and their team to the designs given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, remained at Gibeon with the exception of the Ark of the Covenant itself.
A HEAVY HEART
I have a heavy heart as the Lord showed me that the Tabernacle of Moses at Gibeon is a picture of much of the church today. The church has
- The Altar of Sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins
- The Washing Basin of baptism and the washing of the Word.
- The Table of Showbread of the revelatory Word
- The Candlesticks of spiritual gifts
- The Altar of Incense of worship which has been taken through the torn veil into the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:3)
But the Ark of the Covenant above which the presence of God dwelled, is no longer there. The power has gone. The fear of God has gone. The glory of God has departed. It is a church of form but without substance, going through the motions but not seeing the presence of God.
A church rooted in the past. A church focused on buildings, (i.e. the Tabernacle), a church focused on programmes (i.e. the daily religious rites), and a church focused on status and titles, one effectively reintroducing an intermediary between the people and God (i.e. the Priesthood). A church without substance or power, for the presence of God has departed with the Ark to a new home.
A GLAD HEART
But my heart is glad, for God has not deserted His people! Rather, He has called out a new people, a people with the heart of King David, a heart for the Lord (Acts 13:22), to join Him face to face in the simple tent which is the Tabernacle of David. A humble but powerful people not seeking status or position, buildings or religious programmes, but preferring simply to be Jesus to others.
It is not another church in the conventional sense of the word, but individuals and informal groups of disciples 100% sold out to their God, ones willing to sacrifice everything they have and are, for their Lord.
They are called by many names in the Bible. The 'sons of God', the 'overcomers', the 'Bride of Christ', the 'martyrs', both literal and spiritual. All receive the 'double portion' of God s blessing that Elisha requested of Elijah.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.” (2 Kings 2:9-10)
As Elijah indicated, this is not an easy thing, nor an easy life to live, but reserved by God for those fully committed to making the necessary sacrifice. It was not something that Elisha knew at the time. He had to walk in faith. His receipt of the double portion was reflected in his life where finally, he did twice the number of miracles that Elijah did. It is all about the walk, not the talk!
This 'tabernacle church' will last but for a short time, until the return of Jesus. David's Tabernacle was sandwiched for only 40 years between the Tabernacle of Moses (the church as we know it) and the Temple of Solomon (a type of the kingdom reign of Jesus).
For those who attain the high calling there is the reward of taking part in the first resurrection, of ruling and reigning with Christ for 1000 years.
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
(Revelation 20:4-6)
To which resurrection, to which 'Tabernacle', do you choose to belong?
Find more about us here.....
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
Jesus explained more with a parable.
“Once there was man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came to look for fruit on the tree, but he didn’t find any. So he told the gardener, ‘Look, for three years I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and I haven’t found any. Chop it down! Why should it be taking up space?’
“‘Master,’ the man replied, ‘please leave it alone for just one more year. I’ll dig the soil around it and put down some fertilizer. If it produces fruit, then that’s fine. If not, then chop it down.’”
Crippled Woman Healed on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17)
Contrary to accepted religious thought, with Jesus being criticized by the synagogue leader.
“You’re freed of your sickness.”
“You hypocrites! Doesn’t every one of you untie your ox or donkey from the stall and take it to drink? Why shouldn’t this woman, this daughter of Abraham whom Satan has kept tied up for eighteen years, be untied and set free this Sabbath day?”
Parables about a Mustard Seed and Yeast (Luke 13:18-21)
Kingdom illustrations.
“So what is the kingdom of God like? What should I compare it to? It’s like a mustard seed that a man planted in his garden. It grew into a tree, and the birds came and nested in its branches.”
He asked again, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It’s like yeast that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour which made the whole batch rise.”
(Continued next week)
Find out more about us at.....
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be a charge in order to list.
Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
These and many more are availble for free online at https://www.wwj.org.nz/more-free-downloads
They Amazon books are all found at this link.....
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+tait+books/
*DAVID"S DOODLINGS
Enjoy some of David's sayings here, plus 1300 more on the website at.....
'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
Download the free PDF here.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
592. Trials are a real trial!
593. Trials build character, character Godliness.
594. A test done, a test won, while not much fun, it pleases the Son.
595. Tests require change. Little change requires greater tests.
596. If we were already perfect, we would no longer need trials and testings. Life tells me I have not yet got there!
597. A trial a day keeps the devil away.
598. Heat draws out dross. In gold, silver and me!
599. Failing a test means I need to take it again!
600. The unbearable becomes bearable through God's grace.
601. Trials are for life's winners!
602. The ladder of testing is best climbed one step at a time.
603. The best fruit grows on pruned trees.
604. An unpruned tree produces little fruit.
605. Heated and treated gold glistens. It's the same with us!
Many more at.....
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
Check it out at...
'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
Another laugh or three for you today
Many more on our website below. Also many, may, many more under these categories on our website, wwj,org,nz Look under the heading MAINLY LAUGHS. Choose from.....
THIS WEEKS TUESDAY TEACHING.....
THE GARDEN OF ETERNAL LIFE: A GARDEN OF REST
Let's have a look.
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
414. The Preacher and The Policeman
A man lost two buttons from his shirt and put them in his pants pocket. But the pocket had a hole, so the buttons fell into his shoe. Unfortunately, the shoe sole also had a hole, so he lost the buttons. Since pockets with holes, holes without buttons, and shoe soles with holes are useless, the man ripped the buttonholes out of his shirt and the pocket from his pants and tossed them in the trash along with the soles of his shoes. After looking in a mirror at the holes in his clothing, he decided to toss his clothes in the trash as well.
A policeman observed all this and asked the man for identification. The man produced a document that he was an ordained minister of the gospel. So, of course, the policeman promptly escorted him to a mental institution.
The minister protested violently, asking why he was receiving such unjust treatment.
"Look, it's the best place for you now," the policeman replied, "Anyone claiming to be a preacher, but who doesn't save souls or wear holy clothes has probably lost his buttons."
QWIK QWIP: “If all my friends jumped off a cliff, I wouldn't jump with them.. I would be at the bottom to catch them.”
415. Jesus Knows
The minister had been in his church for 30 years. Everyone loved him dearly but all thought it was time for him to move on. One Sunday he announced that he had received a Call from another parish and he believed it was from the Lord so he was going to leave.
Before he could say anything else the Church Secretary jumped and announced, "We will now sing "What a friend we have in Jesus."
416. Finally - The Truth
There was a parish that had a notorious reputation for spitting out their pastors. Every three years, the council would review their satisfaction with the current pastor, and invariably ask for his or her resignation. Pastor Smith was on pins and needles as the council meeting marking his third anniversary drew near. He knew the Church's anti-clerical tradition, and he began to prepare for the worst. He was in consultation with his bishop over other call possibilities, should he have to make a change. He even contemplated leaving the pastorate.
The night of that dreaded council meeting, the lay president said,"Well, Pastor Smith, as you probably know, we have to ask you to step outside, while we discuss some concerns among ourselves." With his heart palpitating, Pastor Smith waited for what seemed like forever.
Finally, the president invited him back in and to have a seat. "Pastor Smith, we've reviewed the past three years, and the council has unanimously voted to renew your term as our pastor."
"That's wonderful!" cried a relieved Pastor Smith. "But tell me, that' a first here for many, many years. How did you come about to that decision?"
"Well," replied the lay president, "if it were up to us, we wouldn't have pastors at all. But as long as the Church says we have to have one, we figured you're the closest thing we'll ever get to not having a pastor."
QWIK QWIP: “Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't.”
Download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
Or read even more online at.....
A DAVID MUSING
How much do we know about winning and losing?
When it comes to sport, winning and losing are clear. Particularly in a knockout competition. No draws there.
Tennis is a great example. Every match is clearly won or lost.
In rugby however, the 4 yearly World Cup is a classic win or lose situation. You win or you lose.
Fortunately, this time, the New Zealand All Blacks, have managed to win enough pool games to reach the final where they will play either the South African Springboks, or England, the other semi-finalists.
Next week we will find out who wins the final. (Go the All Blacks!)
However, in God, we all have the chance to win the race of eternal life.
In a marathon every finisher wins a medal, for their race has been completed. Everyone's a winner!
It is the same in the race of life! Provided we continue to follow Jeus, keeping Him as our Lord, we will be winners!
I know I am a winner.
How about you.?
His servant and yours
David Tait
Visit us here.....
CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?
Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here at
enquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.
Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.
REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.
LINKS
If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us onlinks@wwj.org.nz
ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God's people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ's return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord's direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 2
Webuye 50205
Kenya
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "... so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz
SUBSCRIPTION MANAGEMENT
We would encourage you to share this free service with your friends in ministry. To subscribe yourself please email pgim-on@wwj.org.nz.
If your name has been referred to us by a friend or supporting Ministry or has been obtained from a public Christian Directory or Website, it isn’t our wish to burden you with information in which you aren’t interested. To remove yourself from this list, please email pgim-off@wwj.org.nz.